Building and Planning holds steady on budget; department requests Wi‑Fi booster for downstairs public service

Tracy Jackson, Building and Planning director, told commissioners the department is proposing a largely status-quo budget for 2026 and 2027, with cuts to travel and training and no new personnel requests; she also asked the county IT team to evaluate and install improved Wi‑Fi reception in the building's lower floors.
Jackson said she cut 75–80% from travel and training lines and will remove one vacant co‑tech position from the budget. She reported a healthy cash balance in the permitting fund — about $1.7 million invested — and said the fund could cover staffing temporarily if permit revenues dip. On fees, Jackson said she is not proposing increases now but that advisory committee feedback suggested some fee room exists compared with neighboring counties.
Jackson asked the board to support an IT request for a Wi‑Fi booster because staff and customers have to walk outside 20–25 feet to get reliable reception for digital permitting and attachments. "Even in the deli area, it's... you still really have to walk out," she said. Jackson said the request is submitted to IT and that better coverage would benefit environmental health and other downstairs departments that work online.
Why it matters: Building and Planning provides permitting and code services to residents and businesses; improved connectivity and staff retention/succession planning affect service continuity and customer experience.
Discussion vs. direction vs. decision: Staff presented a proposed budget and an IT request (discussion/direction); commissioners did not take a final vote on the budget or on the Wi‑Fi request during the workshop and asked for follow-up. Jackson said she would return if a candidate was found to fill the vacant position.
Ending: Jackson said she will pursue the IT evaluation for Wi‑Fi and return to the board if staffing needs change; commissioners asked staff to consider fee structure impacts on small projects before making major fee changes.