County OKs temporary waiver of some permit fees

The Elmore County Board of Commissioners approved a plan that would temporarily waive some administrative fees on building permits.

A resolution signed on Monday waives the $50 administrative fees that applicants pay each time they submit a building permit.

Also waived under the temporary measure include building permit deposits, which people will receive in full once they finish their respective project. Previously, the county courthouse would take a portion of those deposits before the refund was issued.

Other building permit fees were not included in the agreement signed this week. Officials expect to continue waiving both fees until Sept. 30.

According to Alan Christy, who heads the county land-use and building department, the measure seeks to encourage building development in the county.

While it's not expected to provide any significant relief for those submitting applications for large-scale urban and business developments, it could serve as an incentive for those wanting to make improvements to their homes across the county, Christy said.

Waiving those fees could be the catalyst to encourage homeowners to build the new shop or garage they've wanted to build, he said.