County commissioners propose fee hikes for building permits, inspections and more

Washington County commissioners will hold a public hearing next week on proposed fee increases for building permits, inspections and plan reviews.
 Commissioners said an increase in fees for permits and services is justified and overdue, noting that the current fee schedule has not changed in 17 years. They also discussed the fees with building inspector Steve Pierson, who said the county’s fees were out of date.
 Commissioners requested the county building and planning department administrator draft a new fee schedule that brings fees into line with other counties. Commissioners can pass the fee increases by resolution following the public hearing and set a date the new fees take effect.
 Pierson, the owner of Idaho Building Inspection Services, has been handling the county’s building permits and inspections for the past month or so. Unlike the previous building inspector, he is not a county employee and is paid a portion of the permit fees for his services.
 Pierson met with the county commission on Jan. 21. During the discussion, which also included his experience as a building inspector, he encouraged commissioners to adopt a new fee schedule. Other cities and counties he works in also were updating their permit fees.
 If commissioners approve the resolution and new fee schedule, Washington County’s building-related fees will match what Valley, Gem and other counties are charging.
 Commissioners also discussed a contract for services with Pierson and said they wanted to move forward after the county’s legal counsel had reviewed it. Pierson said his services would be provided as needed. He also provides building inspections for other jurisdictions in southwest Idaho.
 The cost of a building permit is calculated based on the total value of all construction work for the new residence. The county for years has been using an older version of the ICC Building Valuation table to come up with valuation but will switch to the most current schedule. As a result, the cost of the single family building permit will increase by more than 40 percent.
 For example, under the existing fee schedule, a building permit for a $200,000 home in the county would cost $1,553. Under the proposed rates, a building permit for the same $200,000 home would cost $2,849, according to numbers supplied by the county building department.
 The re-inspection or special inspection fee will increase to $100 per hour with a minimum of one hour. Plan review fees will be calculated at 65 percent of the building permit fee. Plan review fees are in addition to the building permit fees.
 Commissioner Kirk Chandler said an increase in building permit fees was justified after 17 years of no fee adjustments.
 Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Washington County Courthouse to take public comments on the proposed fee hikes.
 A copy of the proposed fee changes is available for review at the Washington County Planning and Zoning Department in the courthouse.
 Following the expected adoption of the new fee schedule, commissioners intend to sign a formal contract for building inspections with Pierson that spells out his compensation for services. Pierson is already doing building inspections for the county on an as-need basis.