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Benton County approves 5% environmental health fee increase effective Jan. 1, 2025
Summary
After a staff presentation on cost‑recovery models, the board approved a 5% increase in environmental health fees effective Jan. 1, 2025, to maintain service levels while preserving some general‑fund support for charitable and nonprofit work.
Benton County commissioners voted Oct. 1 to approve a 5% increase in environmental health fees, effective Jan. 1, 2025, after a staff presentation on cost‑recovery options.
Scott Krueger, environmental health program manager, and April Holland walked the board through full‑ and partial‑cost recovery scenarios, historical fee changes and the department’s workload. Krueger said a full cost‑recovery hourly rate would be higher but that the staff recommendation was a middle‑ground 5% increase that corresponds to an estimated ~89% cost recovery and would decrease general‑fund contribution modestly.
Krueger noted administrative cost caps in Oregon Administrative Rules that limit allowable indirect cost recovery and explained staff are requesting a modest general‑fund contribution to reconcile administrative cost caps. The board discussed comparators and last year’s 7% increase; commissioners said the 5% proposal was reasonable and asked staff to bring a formal order at a future meeting.
The motion to approve a 5% increase was moved by Commissioner Nancy Wise and seconded; commissioners voted unanimously to approve the increase.
Next steps: health department staff will return with an order formalizing the rate changes at a future meeting.
