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Nelson County board schedules public hearing after building department unveils fee hike and pay-for-certification plan
Summary
The county's building official proposed raising permit fees, adding a $75 administrative fee, new enforcement fines and a certification-based retention pay program; the board authorized a public hearing for an ordinance amendment in August and signaled support for moving the retention plan forward.
The Nelson County Board of Supervisors on June 2 authorized a public hearing in August on proposed building-department fee changes after a staff presentation showed the department currently recovers about 83% of its costs and faces an annual operating gap.
The building code official told the board the department has a $432,000 annual operating budget, averages $358,000 in revenue and runs a structural shortfall. To narrow that gap he presented several options: a modest per‑value rate increase, a $75 flat administrative fee on permits plus a $6 per $10,000 valuation charge, higher reinspection fees, updated amusement-device fees and new enforcement charges including a $250 fine for work completed without a permit and a $100 stop‑work order fee plus $50 per site visit.
"This proposal moves the department from an 83% cost‑recovery rate toward full sustainability," the building code official said, describing projected revenue increases from the blended $75 fee and per‑value changes that would bring average receipts closer to operating costs.
Why it matters: the county’s building department handles plan review, inspections and code enforcement for the locality. The presenter said higher fees would support staff retention, long‑term facility and vehicle maintenance, and the consistent delivery of services without relying on general‑fund subsidies.
The presentation also included a certification‑based retention incentive: employees could earn a $500 salary increase per verified certification (with a typical cap of three certifications per year unless otherwise approved), retroactive pay for previously earned certifications, and a five‑year retention track for new inspectors. The official said certifications are rigorous and costly to obtain, and that the pay program is meant to reduce turnover and liability.
Board members pressed staff on legal authority and implementation timing. Staff said changes would require an ordinance and public hearing; supervisors recommended outreach to the local builder community and discussed giving businesses six to eight months’ notice. At the meeting a motion and second to authorize a public hearing in August and set a Jan. 1 implementation target carried on a voice vote (the board recorded “I” in favor; specific counts were not provided in the meeting record).
What’s next: staff will confirm the precise legal authority for each proposed fee as the draft ordinance is prepared and will pursue the August public hearing if the board proceeds. The board asked staff to work with the building official to refine the retention plan’s implementation details, including its fit with the county pay study and standard operating procedures.
"We're not trying to make a profit," the building code official said. "My goal is to ensure we have the resources necessary to provide professional, timely, and consistent service to the citizens of Nelson County."
