Mills County Commissioners voted unanimously to raise the county septic-tank inspection fee from $310 to $335. The court approved the change after the county judge described the proposed split: $10 of the fee continues to be remitted to TCEQ, the county will retain $125, and the proposed $25 increase — raising the inspector’s portion to $200 — will go entirely to the inspector, Al Hamrick.

County staff said Hamrick has conducted septic inspections in the county for more than 10 years and performs roughly 15 inspections annually, a number that has trended upward. The judge noted Hamrick had not received a raise in about a decade. After brief discussion, the court moved, seconded and approved the fee increase with an aye vote from all commissioners present.

The increase takes effect immediately as an approved administrative fee change; no additional conditions or offsets were stated at the meeting.