Elbert County building official proposes flat-rate permit fees; says most fees would fall or remain comparable

James Trout, Elbert County interim building official, presented a proposal on April 8 to simplify the county’s building-department fee schedule by moving from a complex valuation formula to a flat per-square-foot fee.

"I'm presenting to go to a flat rate fee instead of a convoluted formula," Trout said, adding the change is intended to simplify calculations for staff and residents. He told commissioners staff averaged current fees and adjusted the new schedule so that overall collections remain similar to past practice.

Trout said most permit fees would be lower or unchanged under the proposal and noted one misprint in the packet: the roof fee should be $350, not $500. He emphasized the proposal is a draft and that the department welcomes input from stakeholders before any final adoption.

Commissioners asked how the change would affect the public and staff; Trout said the change mostly streamlines administration and that fee comparisons showed the revised schedule is comparable to neighboring jurisdictions. No formal action was taken at the meeting; the fee schedule remains a discussion item open to revision.