Building, zoning fees increase

MONTEREY — Highland County zoning official Jim Whitelaw told supervisors several months ago that the application fee for conditional use permits, zoning changes and variances was not enough to cover the cost of putting up signs and advertising for a public hearing.

Supervisors agreed, but were split on what to do about it.

Whitelaw suggested increasing the fee from $100 to $150, but at Tuesday's public hearing on the proposed change, supervisor Jerry Rexrode said he was against charging citizens more for the service, likening it to raising taxes.

"If you go to $150, you are still not recouping the cost," said Rexrode. "You are not going to come close with $150. I don't like to see people burdened with more money. It's not like the county is broke and it is killing us."

He added that it costs about $500 to process an application. "You're asking for a budget increase in one area and a decrease in another — that's what the feds do," he said. "If you are throwing in the $5 zoning fee, raising $45 is not worth the aggravation … If you don't need it, don't do it."

"We've had to tighten our belts in so many areas," said supervisor Robin Sullenberger.

"I didn't say you don't need it," Rexrode clarified.

County attorney Melissa Dowd said surrounding jurisdictions charged up to two or three times more than Highland for the same type of application, and reminded the board citizens were paying for the board to consider a special dispensation.

"This benefits the public," said Sullenberger. "Why not ask the public to assist?"

But he wouldn't go as far as charging for all the costs associated with an application. "That would shock people," he said. The rate should be increased incrementally, he added.

"In the 16 years I've been county attorney, fees have not changed," Dowd noted.

Supervisor David Blanchard said the fee should at least cover the cost of advertising. "You have to at least make efforts to stop the leaking of funds," he said.

Blanchard and Sullenberger voted to increase the fee to $150. Rexrode voted against the change.

But on a separate vote, all three supervisors agreed to eliminate the $5 sign fee.