Commissioners learn of building permit activities

ALBANY — The Linn County Planning and Building Department issued 304 total permits in September, including seven for new homes, Director Steve Wills told Linn County Commissioners Sherrie Sprenger and Will Tucker Tuesday morning.

Commissioner Roger Nyquist was not present.

Wills said three permits were issued for single-family dwellings and four for manufactured homes.

Nineteen permits for issued for additions or alterations and eight for accessory buildings.

In the Santiam Canyon, the county has waived more than $113,381 in permit fees for families rebuilding from the September 2020 wildfires.

That includes 22 single-family dwellings, 16 manufactured homes and two multi-dwelling units.

In other business, the commissioners:

  • Approved a request by Special Transportation Coordinator Reagan Maudlin to accept $126,000 in CARES money to be used by the Sweet Home Senior Center/Linn Shuttle/Dial-a-Bus program.
  • Learned that the Law Library has received a $5,000 grant from the Library Patron Connectivity Project to purchase cell phones and thumb drives that can be used by community members. Law Librarian Amber Boedigheimer said patrons often tie-up the Law Library’s phones trying to get information based on computer information searches. This will reduce pressure on the county’s phones.
  • Were informed by County Accounting Officer Bill Palmer that through the first quarter of the new fiscal year, department spending is on track and well under 25% of the total thus far, with the Road Fund at just 14.7% of its budget expended. The Health Department is at 16.9% and the General Fund and Law Enforcement levy are at 19.1%.
  • Approved the sealed bid sale of a sliver of tax foreclosed property (0.02 acres) of property in Sweet Home to adjoining landowner Ed Ames for $100.

Media contact: Alex Paul, Linn County Communications Officer, 541-967-3825 or email apaul@co.linn.or.us.