JACKSON, Wyo. — Last week, the Teton County Planning & Building Services Department got the green light to open a 45-day period for review and comment on proposed increases in its fee schedule. The public comment period on the potential changes opens on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

Planning Director Chris Neubecker proposed the comment period and fee structure changes to the Teton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) at its meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 7. After the 45-day period is up, the Planning Department will hold a public hearing for potential adoption of the fee schedule on Dec. 2. Neubecker told Buckrail that the fees were last updated in 2021, and the proposed fee structure is primarily to account for inflation and ensure alignment with fees in similar communities.

“I fully realize that it’s very expensive to build here, and some of that may have to do with fees, some of it is the market, in terms of cost of materials and cost of labor,” Neubecker told the Commissioners. “But we’re not covering our fees fully, which means that the applicant is not fully paying the cost of the services. … We are essentially asking the community to pay for the cost of some private developer.”

Neubecker explained to the BCC that some communities keep fees low by design, if they are trying to drive more development and more jobs. Some communities waive the fees on affordable housing projects. To Neubecker, it is a matter of what the BCC and the community see as the goals of development.

“Should we have low fees because we’re trying to have more hotels?” Neubecker asked rhetorically.

Commissioner Wes Gardner raised concerns about how the new fee schedule is decided and rationalized. Neubecker explained that the new fees are based on attempting to increase cost recovery, as well as determining what is fair and being charged in comparable communities like Gallatin County in Montana and Summit County in Colorado. He stated that these fees are mostly for inspections and planning, and that building permit fees are calculated separately based on the valuation of projects.

“I think this 45-day period is a great time for us to hear from the community about that balance that we’re trying to strike of recovering costs and also performing our services as government,” said Commissioner Natalia Macker. “I encourage folks to weigh in.”

According to Neubecker, all public comments received by Nov. 24 will be compiled and provided to the BCC prior to the public hearing. Those who are interested can view the proposed fee schedule on the County website. To comment, send an email to Neubecker, deliver written comment in person to the Teton County Planning & Building Services Department (200 S. Willow St.), make public comment at any BCC meeting or attend the public hearing on Dec. 2.

Monica is a Staff Reporter who studied journalism at Syracuse University and has been in the valley since 2015. She loves writing about the local food and bev scene, especially craft beer. When she’s not on the clock, you can find her paddle boarding, sewing, or whipping up a new recipe at home.