Commission directs staff to draft resolution updating county fee schedule, including variable election costs

The Kane County Commission asked county staff Tuesday to prepare a redlined update to the county schedule of fees that would list charges for services the county provides to outside entities, including special service districts (SSDs) and municipalities.

Taylor Glover, government affairs director for the county, told commissioners that the county generally charges municipalities and SSDs for the “actual costs” of services such as elections and legal review rather than a fixed labor charge. She noted that recent changes — including a new ballot printer vendor — are increasing some election-specific costs. Based on past municipal elections, staff estimated municipal election costs generally range from about $1,500 to $2,500 depending on whether a primary or general election is required and on ballot length and printing needs.

Commissioners and staff agreed the clerk's office and other departments will provide the specific fee language and that the county's attorney would draft a resolution to adopt the revised schedule of fees. The draft resolution would include model/variable language for fees subject to availability (for example, attorney time, equipment or vendor availability) so the county can charge actual costs when final amounts are known.

No formal vote was recorded on the fee schedule at Tuesday's meeting; commissioners directed staff to redline a proposed schedule and present it for consideration at a subsequent meeting, with a target to have a resolution ready for the May 27 meeting if schedules permit.

Ending: County staff will prepare and circulate a redlined fee schedule and a drafted resolution for commission review; departments that provide services to outside entities will supply the fee models and any disclaimers about availability or variability.