LAKEPORT >> The county’s Board of Supervisors this week approved an extension of a fee waiver and deferral policy for economic development projects. The idea met with little resistance.
The original policy was adopted in December of 2011 as a way “to help promote the creation, survival and expansion of local businesses,” Lake County Administrative Officer Matt Perry said. The county hoped to encourage a more vibrant small business sector in the wake of the recession. This would be accomplished by providing “upfront cost savings for projects that meet certain job creation, job retention and/or tax generating criteria,” he added.
Since January, a little more than $8,000 in fees were waived for a total of five applications meeting the criteria. Despite the fact that planning fees for large projects have not produced a significant amount, Perry said it is one incentive the county can offer and sends a message that the county encourages economic investment.
“I’m not sure if it works,” District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing said. “I think streamlining the process might be better.”
“For big projects, the fee amount is not a worry,” she added.
The purpose of the extension, which will expire on June 30 because of the county’s approved, is to allow time for the ad-hoc permitting policy committee “to evaluate the current policy and develop any alternatives.”
Perry, Lake County Code Enforcement and Community Development Director Richard Coel, District 1 Supervisor Jim Comstock and District 5 Supervisor Rob Brown comprise the committee.
No members of the public offered comment on the topic.
The board approved the extension with a 4-1 vote, with Rushing dissenting.
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.
