By Alex Paul
Linn County Communications
Linn County issued 281 total building permits in August, Planning and Building Director Steve Wills told Linn County Commissioners Roger Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger and Will Tucker at their Sept. 9 meeting.
Wills said 23 of the permits were for dwellings, including two single-family units and three manufactured homes.
Five commercial permits were issued.
Wills said there were 35 permits issued for contracted cities, which included four single-family dwellings.
There were 16 new code enforcement cases opened and seven cases closed in August.
The commissioners approved a conditional use permit for Build Lebanon Trails to construct a multi-use public trail.
Wills said the Greater Albany Public School District has increased its Construction Excise Tax. The tax on new residential property will increase from $1.63 per square foot to $1.67 per square foot and the rate for commercial properties will increase from 82 cents per square foot to 84 cents per square foot.
The Linn County Planning & Building Department receives that money from builders and passes it on to the school district, except for a four percent administrative fee.
GAPS uses the funds for capital improvement projects.
In other business, the commissioners:
- Approved a two-year services contract with All Star Cab Company not to exceed $240,000 to provide transportation for Health Department clients when other transportation options are not available. Costs will be reimbursed through the Oregon Department of Human Services. The Developmental Disabilities program is the primary program that will utilize this service, arranging transportation to work locations and other community activities when public transportation is not available.
- Approved a transfer of $490,515 within the Health Fund to cover the cost of repairs and maintenance at the Old Armory Building.
- Approved increasing the Health Fund by $2,133,885 within the Health Services Department for mental health, addiction services and developmental disabilities.
- Amended a Construction Manager General Contractor contract, previously approved by the commissioners, between the Linn County Sheriff’s Office and Gerding Builders. It is for the construction of the female housing renovation project at the Linn County Jail. Undersheriff Micah Smith said the City of Albany has approved project plans and building permits have been issued.
- Approved First-Time Youth Wage Grant agreements with Berkey’s Blueberries, Boshart Trucking and Malpass Heritage Farms.
- Announced that a management staff meeting will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 10, in the courthouse basement meeting room.