Permits issued after July 1, and some issued prior to July 1 will be inspected by the Madison County Joint Planning Department. Some inspections will be done at the footing stage and others will be done close to completion of construction. "There are basically two reasons for the inspections," said Planning Director, John Johnson. "With the Federal tax credits out there we are getting requests from accountants and bank to do final inspections for many buildings.

The other reason is people are taking advantage of the system. They are applying for agricultural permits, but are really building everything from residences to businesses in these so-called agricultural buildings," Johnson concluded.

Permit fees for residential, commercial and industrial buildings and additions over 650 Square feet will remain at $.20 a square foot, but be assessed the $50 inspection fee. All agricultural structures, including grain bins, livestock buildings and sheds, and additions and building less than 650 square feet will be charged only the inspection fee of $50. Other fees including re-zonings, conditional use permits, variances, etc., will go to $130 from $100.

All structures built without a permit, will be charges a $500 late fee plus any permit fees if construction is finished when caught, and they will be caught. Conditional uses started without a permit will be charged the $130 application fee and a late fee of $1,000. Any structures built or conditional uses started without a permit will not only be charged a late fee in addition to any application fees, but could be denied and ordered removed or stopped.

Any violation of the county's zoning regulations is a Class III Misdemeanor. Each day of the violations constitutes a new and separate violation once the property owner is notified by the Zoning Administrator of the violation.

New Zoning Fee Schedule here

County Commissioner Uhlir Resigns
Richard Uhlir (right), District Two County Commissioner resigned on Thursday, May 26, following an emergency meeting of the Madison County Board of Commissioners in Madison.

The meeting was called by Madison County Attorney Joe Smith after he received the results of an investigation conducted by the Nebraska State Patrol. The investigation centered on Uhlir's residency and whether or not his primary residence was located within District Two. After an Executive Session Uhlir announces his resignation.

Uhlir's resignation creates an opening on the three person Board of Commissioners. Smith told the Norfolk Daily News, the position must be filled within 45 days. The selection will be made by a three-member committee comprised of the County Clerk, Treasurer and Smith. The exact schedule of filling the seat has not been worked out at this time, but persons interested in filling the seat, which is basically Norfolk Wards 3 and 4, should send a letter with their background and qualifications to the County Clerk in Madison.

Uhlir had been a Commissioner for 11 years after initially winning the seat in the 2000 election.

Congratulations to Jerry McCallum!

Madison County Commissioner Jerry McCallum recently received an Elected Officials Award at the 2011 NPZA conference in Grand Island. McCallum (right) received the award from NPZA President and Hall County Regional Planning Director (and former Madison County Zoning Administrator) Chad Nabity (left).