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NEWPORT — Northeast Tri County Health District has set an updated fee adjustment to sustain critical public health services, scheduled to begin Friday, Aug. 1.
Key changes include: Hourly rate increase: From $102 to $124. This rate is used to establish standard (flat rate) permit and inspection fees based on estimated staff time for travel, inspection, reporting, and administrative work. It is also applied when the Health District performs work outside of standard applications or permits - for example, special requests or unique service situations without predefined fees.
Vital records modifications: An increase ($2 to $5) for certified birth and death certificates if picking up in person or by mail and the elimination of fees for additional copies. In 2024, the program operated at a shortfall of $8,900, with fee revenue falling short of covering actual service costs.
Food program fees: 20% increase to fees, plus the addition of a catering permit category. The new rates remain well below the regional average (New rates average $145 - $295 vs. rates from other regional public health agencies of $236 - $562 for similar categories).
Septic system fees: 20% increase to fees. The new rates are significantly below the regional average (the new rate for a single-family residence septic permit is $670 vs. $1,026 from other regional health agencies).
New fees added for wastewater: Certification and renewal fees for Operation and Maintenance Service Providers and an Operation and Maintenance Report and Review fee have been added to the fee schedule to reflect new statewide mandates.
Solid waste permits: Permit fee structures have remained largely unchanged for over two decades. The revised fees for permit-related activities will now be based on 25% of estimated staff time, with the remaining 75% covered by the Washington State Department of Ecology Grant. For existing facilities, overall costs are expected to remain comparable; however, service charges previously billed multiple times per year will now be consolidated into a single annual fee.
The proposed changes reflect the Board of Health’s Fee Guidance Policy, which sets targets for recovering 50% or 100% of the actual cost of providing services, depending on whether they primarily benefit individuals or the public at large. The new Fee Schedule is available on the Health District’s website at www.netchd. org/611/Fee-Schedule.
