Cell towers are ubiquitous to the rural landscape, and commissioners want to be sure cell companies pay for the privilege of erecting them in Columbus County.
Commissioners passed new regulations on towers at their Nov. 17 meeting, increasing setbacks and requiring more safety rules. At the previous meeting, several commissioners asked about what fees are required by builders of the towers. Planning and zoning department staff noted that the county only required building and electrical permits, with no provision for penalties for violations.
Commissioner Giles “Buddy” Byrd and Chair Laverne Coleman led the board in asking staff to create a new schedule to include violations, co-location of other carriers on towers, and other fees. The board reviewed a draft schedule of fees, and instructed staff to increase those fees.
“Once those towers go in, they don’t pay anything else,” said Byrd. He noted that in some circumstance, the typical 75 by 75 foot plot for a tower affects all surrounding properties as well, limiting their use.
“A cell phone tower is something that’s going to be owned by someone in California or Florida or somewhere owns,” Byrd said. “It’s always going to be there—eyesore or whatever, it doesn’t matter. Just got to deal with it. … They come in pay $100,000 or more for a 75 by 75 property. I feel like we ought to be able to get $2,500 for that cell tower. Only going to be able to sell that spot one time.”
Chief Inspector William Jackson said there are no restrictions on fees that can be charged by the county.
Byrd said the county is going to face “a very hard time without raising taxes” and should look to every opportunity to increase revenue for the county.
Byrd made a motion to direct staff to further increase the fees, and received a second from Rickey Bullard.
“This is not going to be any cost to any citizen of the county,” Byrd said. “I feel like cell towers just like light bills. They’re send you whatever bill they want to send you, and there’s nothing you can do.
“I think this is a time to heal some of the deficits we’ve been facing.”
The proposed new schedule of fees includes a $50 per day fine for violations. The initial building permit will go from $500 to $1,200, plus a $300 application fee. Building permits for existing towers (needed for repairs and upgrades) would go form $200 to $450 and a $300 application fee.
Electrical permits almost double under the new fees, rising from $175 to $300. Carriers who co-locate on towers would be required to pay $525, which would include electrical.
The fees are consistent with those charged by other counties, according to data provided by the county.
Monday’s meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the commissioners chambers on Webster Street. It may be attended in person or viewed online.
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