Delegation OKs $1.14 Increase to Sheriff’s Writ-Service Fee, New Rate $34.69

The Belknap County Delegation on the motion approved an increase to the sheriff’s writ-service fee, raising it by $1.14 to a new rate of $34.69.

The change follows a request from the county sheriff’s office to align the local writ-service charge with a CPI-based adjustment other counties were seeking. A sheriff’s representative presented the request and moved that the delegation authorize the fee increase; a colleague seconded the motion and the delegation voted unanimously in favor.

The sheriff’s representative said the writ-service fee covers civil-process service — for example, landlord-tenant evictions and other court papers — and that the customer (the person requesting service) pays the fee, not county taxpayers. “It’s all our civil process that comes in from the courts… we charge those a fee recorded statute, and we serve them,” the sheriff’s representative said. When asked whether the fee could be rounded to $35, the sheriff replied that state law requires using the CPI to calculate the increase.

A delegation member asked whether the county has authority to set a different amount; county and sheriff’s staff said the request was coordinated with other county sheriffs and follows statutory guidance and a 2023 legislative change that allows annual CPI-based adjustments.

The sheriff’s representative said the delegation’s vote was unanimous and that the new rate will be posted publicly when it becomes effective. A county official stated the change will become effective in July and will be posted publicly.

The delegation did not register a formal roll-call vote in the public record beyond the chair’s statement that the vote was unanimous.

Ending: The fee increase was approved for implementation and county staff said they would post the effective date publicly.