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Brown County planning commission weighs roughly 25% increase to permit and inspection fees
Summary
Commissioners and staff discussed a proposed countywide update to planning and permit fees that staff says would raise about $14,223.75 a year with an average 25% increase; commissioners directed staff to produce line-by-line cost estimates and schedule a public hearing.
The Brown County Planning Commission discussed a proposed revision to the county's planning, permitting and inspection fee schedule that staff said would take effect January 2027 if the commission approves it and the county commissioners concur. Staff presented a packet showing current fees, a comparative chart and a projected 25% across-the-board increase.
"So total 25% increase would have bumped us up $14,223.75 for the entire year," Staff member said while reviewing last year's collections and the proposed rates. The staff member explained a state change limits revisions to once every five years unless the county declares an emergency, which is why the commission must decide whether to adopt changes now.
Commissioners and members pressed staff for more granular, time-based cost estimates before finalizing a new schedule. One committee member suggested breaking inspection fees out by inspection type rather than a single residential line: "I think it's something that hopefully we won't look at until 5 years from now," the Staff member replied, noting the building inspector will soon have a separate fund for permit fees.
The commission asked staff to: prepare a line-by-line estimate of hours and travel for common permit types, consult with the building inspector about average inspection time, and return with revised fee figures at the next meeting. Commissioners discussed whether to adopt a uniform percentage increase or to set individualized fees by activity; staff recommended the line-by-line approach to ensure fees reflect the actual cost of service.
The commission agreed to continue the item at the next meeting and to place a public hearing on the schedule once staff circulates the revised fee schedule and background calculations.
