To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Bryan Weimer, Director, Public Works and Development (PWD)
Prepared By:
prepared
Rebecca Doane, Support Services Division Manager, PWD; Greg Bragdon, Building Division Manager, PWD
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presenter
Presenter: Bryan Weimer, Director, PWD
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Subject:
title
1:15 PM *Update on Building Permit Fee Increases
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The purpose of this Study Session is to provide the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) with an update on the proposal to increase Building Division permit fees and to get direction from the BOCC on how to proceed.
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Background and Discussion: On Nov. 14, 2023, PWD presented a proposal to the BOCC for a 30% increase in Building permit and plan check fees. This fee increase recommendation was based on an analysis of how Arapahoe County’s Land Development Services (LDS) fees compare with those of other jurisdictions, with a focus on Building permit fees specifically. A review was also conducted of the percentage to which LDS revenue is covering fully-loaded costs within those program areas. Based on the analysis, PWD recommended a 30% increase in Building permit and plan check fees, pending public comment on the proposal. BOCC supported the recommendation and gave approval to move forward in requesting public comment. It was agreed that PWD would come back to the BOCC for further discussion if deemed necessary based on the public comments received.
Due to the number and type of public comments received, PWD staff are returning to discuss how the BOCC would like to proceed on this matter. Detailed information about the comments received and PWD staff recommendations are included in the attached Staff Report.
Fiscal Impact: If no fee increase is implemented at this time, Building Division revenue is still expected to increase in 2024 based on current workload projections. Any fee increase that is implemented would increase the overall revenue projections for 2024 even further. Details are included in the attached Staff Report.
Alternatives: The Board may decide to implement no fee increase at this time, or the Board may want to pursue an increase of a higher or lower amount from the originally proposed 30% increase.
Alignment with Strategic Plan:
☒Be fiscally sustainable
☒Provide essential and mandated service
☒Be community focused
Staff Recommendation: PWD staff recommends delaying the fee increase proposal for consideration at a later time, possibly for a 2025 implementation if deemed appropriate by the BOCC at that time.
Concurrence: A fee increase for building permits is supported by our colleagues in the Finance Department and members of the Executive Budget Committee based on discussions that were held as part of the 2024 Budget submission and review process; however, we are bringing the issue back to the BOCC for further consideration at this time based on the public comments received.