The commissioners unanimously approved changes to Tarrant County Public Health’s fee schedule Tuesday that align inspection and permitting fees for fixed food establishments, mobile food units and other regulated facilities with recent state requirements.

Sabrina Vidari, associate director for environmental health, told the court that State Senate Bill 1008 requires counties to adopt the Department of State Health Services’ fee methodology (based on gross annual food sales rather than square footage). She said that while many fees will remain similar, the highest fee band for the largest food establishments was capped slightly below the state maximum to avoid abrupt increases.

Vidari also noted that mobile food units will move under state permitting in mid‑2026; Tarrant County will lower local mobile‑unit fees now but expects the state to take over the permitting program in June 2026. The department also proposed a small late fee for swimming‑pool permits to address chronic late renewals.

The measures passed 5–0. Public health officials said the changes are needed to comply with state law and to keep the local program sustainable; the food inspection program operates from a dedicated fund and is not subsidized from the county’s general fund.

Why it matters: The changes affect restaurants, caterers and other food operators across the county; they also set a pathway for the state to administer mobile‑unit permits next year, a shift that will affect operator compliance and county staffing.

Next steps: Health staff will notify permit holders of the new bands, adopt the revised schedule into county systems and continue outreach to businesses to explain the changes.