Dunn County board approves new public‑health fee schedule, staff to study full cost recovery

The Dunn County Health and Human Services Board voted Dec. 17 to approve a revised public-health fee schedule (Appendix B) after a staff presentation on methodology and impacts.

Jeff Robb, the county’s environmental-health manager, described a multi‑year approach that uses three‑year time averages to set most fees and explained program-specific departures for retail food and special-event campgrounds. Robb noted the proposed well-permit fee increase from $75 to $100 and proposed a rush nitrate sample option for the county water lab to serve customers who want faster results. "We're proposing a increase to a $100," Robb said when describing the well-permit change.

Board members scrutinized cost‑recovery levels, asking why the body-art (tattoo/permanent makeup) inspection fees only cover about 35% of program costs in the most recent year. Robb said variability in the number of facilities and substantial upfront consulting time (for new applicants) explain year‑to‑year cost coverage differences; he also noted the county recently added a plan‑review fee to recoup some costs.

Doctor Hall moved to approve the fee schedule and Supervisor Hagen seconded the motion. The board approved Appendix B by voice vote and directed staff to implement the new fees by the start of the year. Staff also requested and received direction to bring a fuller analysis of moving to 100% cost recovery to a future meeting, recognizing the county’s difficult budget year and local‑business concerns.

The approval covers multiple program fees across environmental health, water and lab services, campgrounds and retail food, as detailed in appendix materials provided to the board.