Construction in Buncombe County has fallen off about 75% since 2006, and county staff is recommending increased development fees. Some will go up 20%; others, 100%. County representatives describe the increase as cost recovery. It is not expected the increases in the permitting fees will cover the costs of running the department, even after cutting three planning department positions. (The county intends to cut a total of 93 positions in its budget, which has expanded 1.7% over last year’s.)
No one has calculated the amount of extra revenue the fees are expected to bring in but, “This is not going to produce a tremendous amount of money,” [Assistant County Manager Jon] Creighton said. . . . “With not being able to raise taxes, there’s a push to cover (the cost of) services.”
