It doesn’t surprise me that SLO county supervisors increased public facilities fees 3.7 percent. In my opinion, facing the current slowed economy, I would decrease those fees (permit charges). Doing so could encourage contractors, business owners, or a family wanting to build a home to seriously think about construction now. Down the road, fees could go up when the economy recovers.
Raising fees at a time when money is tight discourages people from spending money. It would be better for the county supervisors to lower fees and get a steady flow of permits, than raise fees and reduce demand.
This article appears in Jun 4-11, 2009.
