Polk County adopts annual master fee schedule with modest increases (Resolution 25-11)

The Polk County Board of Commissioners on July 2, 2025, unanimously adopted Resolution 25-11, the county—s annual update to the master fee schedule, approving modest fee adjustments across several departments.

County staff said the update reflects routine increases, some state-mandated fees and a handful of new charges in elected offices. "This is the annual update to the master fee schedule that we do once a year in July. These are the fees that are going to be charged to the public or for, other entities, or services rendered by county departments," Mr. Hanson said during the presentation to the board.

Mr. Hanson told commissioners community development fees typically rise about 4% each year and that some additions are required by state law. He said the assessor reversed some items it had filed in the wrong place and that most departments show only minor changes. "Overall, this is nothing unusual. There aren't that many, significant changes to any of our fees," Hanson said.

A county official estimated the changes would increase annual revenue by roughly $20,000 to $30,000; Hanson noted other, state-driven items (which he identified as OHA-related) could yield larger sums but are separate from this resolution. When Commissioner Greg asked whether the county was near full cost recovery for services, Hanson replied, "With fees, it's impossible to have full cost recovery all times... We are still much lower than almost every surrounding county that surrounds us. So I think we're getting closer to it, but we'll probably never be at full cost recovery."

Commissioners moved, seconded and voted to approve Resolution 25-11; the vote was recorded as unanimous. The board did not record additional direction on fee structure at the meeting.

Resolution 25-11 takes effect under the terms specified in the county resolution; no further action was recorded at the meeting.