Building fees go up for farm structures, down for turbines

Whitman County set a new slate of fees in place Monday for permits to build farm structures and wind turbines.

County commissioners unanimously approved the new fees proposed by Dan Gladwill, county building official, during their regular meeting.

The state legislature in 2009 limited fees counties could collect to inspect farm buildings.

Before Monday’s approval, farm buildings were charged permit fees that were calculated by figuring Gladwill’s actual expenses to inspect the building; his time, travel and fuel costs.

Now, Gladwill will charge $7.50 per square foot to inspect ag buildings, half the $15 per square foot charged to inspect other buildings.

Gladwill last month told commissioners his department was losing money under the reimbursement cost structure. He had collected $2,700 in permit fees on ag structures in 2011. Had those same buildings been permitted like standard buildings, they would have generated about $17,000.

Fees charged to permit construction of wind turbines were also changed Monday.

Before the new structure was in place, a permit to erect a turbine for residential use could cost as much as $1,000. Now, turbines shorter than 50 feet will cost $100 to permit. A permit for a turbine taller than 50 feet will cost $200.

Fees to permit industrial grade turbines were also changed.

Previously, the turbines would have been charged fees based on their cost. For Palouse Wind, currently building a 58-turbine wind farm on Naff Ridge, that would have meant a $20,000 permit for each turbine.

The new rules base permit fees off the value of the concrete foundation supporting the turbines. Also, one permit would suffice for all the turbines, as they will be the same model.

Gladwill last month estimated a fee of about $3,000 to $5,000 for Palouse Wind’s industrial turbine permit.