The Board of Health periodically revises fees for Environmental Health programs. The last Board action regarding fees was in November 2017 with an effective date of December 1, 2017.
Staff is proposing adoption of Res. 19-21 (Exhibit A) regarding a revised Environmental Health fee schedule that represents a 5.5% across-the-board increase (Exhibit B). The 5.5% increase corresponds with cost-of-living adjustments for staff of 2.75% in both 2019 and 2020. An exception to the 5.5% increase is with fees associated with drinking water (discussed below). Additionally, there are several new fees that are highlighted in yellow in Exhibit 1.
Fees, on average, currently account for 86% of costs in Environmental Health (direct + indirect/overhead) programs that are fee-supported. An outlier is the drinking water program, which is funded by approximately 40% general fund money. The proposed fees for drinking water activities represent a 23% increase. This proposal will bring the drinking water program closer to the Environmental Health average regarding use of general fund monies to pay for expenses.
At its September 25 meeting, the Administration Committee passed an amendment to the proposed fee schedule for the Board of Health to consider that would add an “Expedited Review Fee.” The fee would add 50% to the established fee for certain projects. Conversation centered on new onsite sewage system applications; however, the committee gave staff the flexibility to consider all fees when proposing which specific types of reviews the expedited review fee could apply to.
If adopted, staff is proposing that the expedited review fee be made available for the Land Use Program: New Onsite Sewage Disposal System Applications and Well Site Reviews; Food Safety Program: Limited Grocery Plan Review, General Plan Review, and Multiple Permit Facility Plan Review; and Safe Environments: Plan Reviews for Schools, Camps, Pools, Spas and Float Pod Facilities. The expedited fee may apply to additional fees as approved by the division director on a case-by-case basis.
There are two proposed motions. The first is to adopt Resolution 19-21 with the fee schedule as originally proposed by staff and approved by the Executive Committee. The second proposed motion is to adopt Resolution 19-21 with the fee schedule as amended by the Administration Committee to include the expedited review fee.