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Health department outlines 2026 budget and proposes fee increases to cover shortfall
Summary
City health department staff told the Board of Health the 2026 budget reduces projected program revenue after an overestimate of tourist rooming-house licenses and proposes fee increases — including for lodging and weights-and-measures services — to close the gap while absorbing new software and staffing costs.
Dr. Seeglass told the Board of Health that the health department’s proposed 2026 budget reduces projected program revenue after an overestimate of tourist rooming-house licenses and includes fee increases to close the gap.
The changes matter because they affect inspection and licensing fees paid by local businesses and will cover new recurring costs, including a software license and year-over-year compensation increases, Dr. Seeglass said.
Department staff said projected program revenues fell because the office will not reach an overly optimistic estimate of tourist rooming‑house licenses issued in 2025. Program expenses are projected to rise about 4.7%, mostly from compensation increases, and purchase‑of‑services costs include a new annual software license under the Agronicus contract. Dr. Seeglass said the department tailored the 2026 revenue projection to that lower expectation.
Staff also highlighted enforcement success tied to the lower license projections: the department found about 50…
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