Sherburne County approves higher fees, including $50 drug-test charge, for community corrections programs

Sherburne County commissioners approved revisions to the county's Community Corrections fee schedule that add a $50 drug-testing fee and increase program fees by $50 for several adult-level programs, the department director said.

Corey Mavis Rowe, director of Community Corrections, told the board at a public hearing that state Department of Corrections subsidies were lower than anticipated over the past two years and staff proposed fee changes to help offset the shortfall. "Specifically, what we're looking at is to have a $50 drug testing fee," Rowe said, and staff proposed raising program fees by $50 for adults in driving-with-care levels and related decision-point groupings.

The board opened the required public hearing, received no public comments and then considered an action item to approve the fee revisions. County administration confirmed the recommendation was to approve the proposed revisions to the all services and fee schedule, with the changes effective Aug. 1. Commissioner Paul Felber moved approval; Commissioner Schumacher seconded. The board voted in favor.

Why it matters: the fee changes shift more of the program cost to participants in community corrections programs. Staff said the changes are intended to respond to reduced state subsidy levels and to help sustain local program operations.

Discussion vs. decision: staff explicitly framed the fee changes as a response to lower-than-expected state subsidies; the board held the public hearing (no speakers) and then approved the fee schedule change as an action item.

Implementation: the fee changes were approved to take effect Aug. 1. Records show follow-up tasks will include updating the all-services fee schedule and notifying affected program participants and partner agencies.