During the Polson City Commission meeting on Monday, Dec. 15, the second reading to change residential impact fees to fixture-based calculations was passed. 

This ordinance replaced the blanket fee with fixture-based calculations that consider the number of fixtures in a residence and removed the park and administration fees from the formula, in accordance with Senate Bill 133. Water impact fees will now be set at $306 per fixture, and sewer impact fees at $200 per fixture, each with a minimum of five fixtures per fee. 

According to previous Lake County Leader reporting, the average number of fixtures in a single-family home is 14, which would result in a water impact fee increase of approximately 29%, totaling $4,284. An average home has nine wastewater fixtures, an 18% increase, totaling $1,800. 

A resolution to amend the general fee schedule was also passed during the meeting. These fees are local government charges for reviewing development or inspection projects to fund staff time or impacts on public facilities. 

The current Planning and Public Works fee schedules were last updated in 2023, according to Community Development Director Rob Edington, who presented this resolution. 

The agenda item summary noted that, since 2023, pay and contractual rates have increased, and several fees no longer reflect the City's actual costs. The document also stated that property owners should be responsible for the costs incurred for their improvements or developments.  

The new fee schedule changed fees for annexation requests, zoning conformance and several other maps, zoning or permit requests. Each fee calculation is configured differently; some will now include hourly rates, while others will have several-hundred-dollar increases.  

Residential annexation requests increased from a single $85 fee to $300 plus $10 per acre, plus a filing fee. The residential zoning variance fee increased from $250 to $750, plus a $150 fee per additional variance. The commercial zoning variance fee has a similar increase, with a base fee of $1,000.  

Commission says so-long to mayor, commissioner 

This meeting marked Mayor Eric Huffine and Commissioner Brodie Moll's final meeting with the commission. Huffine served one term as mayor, and Moll served two terms as a representative for Ward 3.  

“We do want to take just a moment and say thank you and recognize the time that has gone into the service that the two of you have provided,” City Manager Ed Meece said. “Commissioner Moll has been a steady hand and good counsel and sounding board on many issues and also raised some issues that I think were important to the community.”  

Meece presented plaques to both Huffine and Moll for their service and dedication to Polson.  

“I want to say how much I've appreciated the opportunity to work with Mayor Huffine. We've had a lot of good conversations. We shared quite a few laughs,” Meece said. “I don't know that we've ever cried; we might have come close a few times, but it really has been a pleasure for myself and the staff to work with the mayor.”