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Commission delays planned 10% planning-fee increase, seeks fiscal analysis
Summary
After presentations and stakeholder concerns, the Board deferred a previously-budgeted 10% increase in planning fees to allow more time for WAVA and staff to provide comparative data and fiscal analysis of subsidy impacts.
Scott Whittle of the Metropolitan Area Planning Department (MAPD) summarized the department's funding mix and presented analysis supporting a 10% fee increase that was included in the 2024 budgets but not yet implemented. "The 2024 budget included a planning department fee increase of 10% with the 10% fee increase factored into the 2025 budget," Whittle said. He described MAPD's cost recovery (about 23% currently, rising to about 28% if the increase is implemented) and survey comparisons with other jurisdictions.
Commissioners and industry stakeholders asked for more granular fiscal analysis showing how the proposed increase would affect subsidy levels using recent case volumes, and WAVA (local builders association) asked for more time to finalize 2024 numbers. Commissioner Howe said a 10% increase is not unreasonable given inflation but asked for comparisons of subsidies and case counts; Commissioner Dennis supported deferral to allow WAVA and staff time. The board unanimously voted to defer the fee increase for further study.
