The Eaton County Ways and Means Committee voted to approve a revised planning and zoning fee schedule and directed staff to begin contracting with the 11 townships the county serves so township charges do not exceed $15,000.

Committee members approved a motion with a friendly amendment to set the fee schedule implementation date for June 1, with July 1 as a backstop. County staff said they expect township billing to begin Oct. 1 and be reflected in the 2025–26 budget through formal contracts.

County staff presented the fee changes as a response to increased program costs. Chris (Public Works staff) said the department currently loses money on items such as conditional use permits after paying postage, planning commission fees and other administrative costs. Brandy (Planning and Zoning staff) told the committee that some applications—such as a district change amendment and private-road applications—require more staff time and public notices and thus justify higher fees. For example, the district change amendment requires review by the planning commission, public works and human services, and the county board and requires two separate public notices.

Commissioner Haskell asked how the new fees compare with neighboring counties; staff replied that the revised fees are “in line” with regional boards but vary by county. Staff described the private-road application process as involving engineering review, multiple agency notifications (including fire departments and central dispatch), inspections during and after construction, and references to the Land Division Act (PA 28 of 1967) when private roads enable additional parcel splits.

Commissioner Barber described previous fee shortfalls: holding a board of appeals cost about $450 and the department historically lost several hundred dollars per hearing. Staff said higher permit fees and a new schedule were designed to make the department self-supporting.

The committee unanimously approved the fee schedule after the amendment to set a June 1 start date for the fees and noted that township payments would start Oct. 1, subject to the budget process.

The committee did not adopt a full, detailed township charge schedule at the meeting; staff said township contract amounts will be finalized and returned as part of the budget process.