Josephine County adopts planning fees tied to new marijuana compliance ordinance

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners voted 3–0 on April 1 to adopt Board Order 2026-019, which sets a package of planning fees tied to the county’s new marijuana annual compliance ordinance. Ruth Nelson, the county’s director of finance, said the proposed fees were posted on the county website and would be effective May 1 if adopted.

Nelson summarized the proposal to the board before public comment: “This board order is to adopt the requested fee changes for planning. These fees are related to the new marijuana annual compliance ordinance. These proposed fees have been posted on the county website for the public. And if adopted, the fees will be effective May 1.”

During the hearing, resident and former budget officer Simon Hare urged the board to review fees that affect planning and housing, calling some charges (for example, lot-line-adjustment fees) “exorbitant” and warning that fee increases could hinder housing in the current economy. The chair then closed the public comment period and called for a motion.

A motion to adopt Board Order 2026-019 was moved and seconded and carried on a roll-call vote of three in favor, none opposed. The board closed the public hearing at 9:05 a.m.

The county’s public materials posted online and the final adopted order will contain the full fee schedule and effective dates; the board’s action on April 1 adopted the fee changes as presented in the published materials.