County officials increase planning, zoning fees

BONNERS FERRY — The Boundary County Commissioners met at the University of Idaho Extension Office Monday and Tuesday, June 15-16, to discuss aspects of the Planning and Zoning department.

Earlier in May of this year, the option to raise fees, some by more than 400 percent, was discussed.

As per the public notice regarding the upcoming hearing to consider the increases in planning and zoning fees, the current $35 residential placement permit, should the commissioners vote to increase fees, would cost an applicant $200, and the permit for holding a special event would have risen to $200.

When asked how the increased fees would be used or why the fees needed such large increases, John Moss, Planning and Zoning Administrator, said, “they haven’t been increased in 20 years; It’s been a long long time.”

There are a total of 16 items that were in question for fee increases per the public notice.

A compromise was met and county commissioners decided to meet in the middle on the fees.

“We voted to increase fees, but we lowered the proposed fees, and we approved 50 percent,” said Boundary County Commissioner Dan Dinning. “”So, if it was proposed at $500 it will be $250.”

Dinning said that the fees will take effect on Oct. 1, 2020. “We will reassess it in October of 2021.”

There were approximately fifteen attendees to the hearings this week.

The Board of Commissioners meet Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public is welcome to attend, though there is limited space in the courthouse at this time. Attendance via telephone conference is available to the public by calling 877-402-9753, access code 9099848#.