Grayson County Health Department proposes new food establishment permit fee structure

The Grayson County Health Department held a regular meeting on August 26, 2025, to discuss proposed revisions to the food establishment permit fees, which have not been updated since February 2007. The meeting focused on aligning local fees with the Texas Department of State Health Services fee schedule, as mandated by Senate Bill 1008.

The proposed changes will introduce a risk-based inspection fee structure, moving away from the previous model based on the number of employees. The new fees will range from $2.50 for establishments categorized as risk level 1 to a maximum of $7.73 for those at risk level 3. Supermarkets with multiple departments seeking separate permits will also see their fees increase to the maximum amount, depending on their specific requests.

Health Department representatives emphasized that these adjustments are necessary for cost recovery related to the inspection program, although they acknowledged that even with the increases, the fees will not fully cover operational costs. The department anticipates further changes in the fee structure in response to future legislative updates.

Additionally, the meeting clarified that childcare facilities are still required to undergo health inspections, although the terminology has shifted to simply "inspection fee." This change does not exempt these facilities from compliance, as they must coordinate with the Health Department to avoid penalties from the state.

The proposed fee revisions were unanimously approved by the commissioners present, marking a significant step towards modernizing the county's health inspection fee structure. The Health Department looks forward to supporting the growing number of establishments in Grayson County while ensuring compliance with state regulations.