MADERA – The Madera County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday, Mar. 25, to extend the two-thirds reduction in County permit fees until Dec. 31.
The fees were reduced by 66.7 percent in September 2011 as part of an effort to boost the economy in Madera County by reducing more than two dozen fees associated with construction and development, making it more affordable to build.
“It may not seem like that big a deal, but it means a lot,” said Board Chairman Tom Wheeler. “If we have high fees and nobody is getting any building permits for any kind of projects, you get no taxes, you get no jobs, you get nothing. Whatever may be produced for the general fund from higher fees is nothing compared to the ongoing property taxes, sales taxes and jobs generated from just one house being built.”
Wheeler also noted that County staff are re-evaluating all current fees, and he anticipates most will be lowered and some will be raised after an assessment is complete.
The Board voted 5-0 in favor of the continued cuts.
