Jessie Stensland reports from the Island County Commissioners’ board meeting of Tue., Oct. 21, 2025 for the Whidbey News-Times. Read the whole story.
Summary by Perplexity.ai
The Island County Commissioners approved major fee hikes for land use and building permits, raising costs by 40% on January 15, 2026 and another 20% on January 15, 2027, with future annual increases tied to inflation. The aim is to cover a $1.4 million budget deficit in the planning department, after cost-cutting attempts yielded only $30,000 in savings. Commissioner Jill Johnson cited inflation as the reason while maintaining service levels; past updates and complaints about permitting delays led to prior fee increases. Compared to neighboring counties, Island County’s permit fees remain in the mid-to-high range.
They Said It
Island County Commissioner Jill Johnson, a Republican, said she supports the increases since there was an attempt at cost cutting. She blamed the “inflationary environment” for the need to increase fees but added that the county will maintain the current level of service.
“We are not immune from the economy that we operate in,” she said.
