Fee increases cover county costs

SANDPOINT — The cost to file some documents in Bonner County is going up.

Bonner County commissioners approved increasing filing fees for 87 documents in Titles 11, 12, and 14. The fee increases became effective immediately upon Wednesday’s approval.

The application submitted by the Planning Department raises fees in varying amounts. Fee changes apply to a variety of documents, a few examples including floodplain review, notices to titles, and administrative appeal fees.

Planning Department Interim Director Jake Gabell said the purpose of the fee increases was to cover the cost of processing the documents. He said the fee increases are needed to prevent taxpayers from paying the cost for private development.

“What we don’t want is taxes to subsidize any kind of development,” Gabell said. “We want to be a net neutral. Our biggest expense is human capital.”

The last time fee increases took place was in September 2021. This year’s fee increases also are partially impacted by the rise in inflation, Gabell told commissioners.

“A part of this is making sure that we are keeping up with cost, and incurring costs from applications,” Commissioner Chairman Dan McDonald said.

The planning department can be contacted by calling 208-265-1458. To view specific fee changes, search “AM0008-22” on the county’s website at BonnerCountyID.gov