County staff told the Morrow County Board of Commissioners they have compiled a package of fee‑schedule updates and asked for direction on several priorities, including airport hangar rentals, transfer‑station adjustments, and a proposed long‑range planning surcharge.

Staff said parts of the fee schedule were last updated in 2021–2022 and that some fees (airport hangar and VUAS tenant rates at Lexington Airport) are likely set too low. Airport staff said a VUAS research tenant uses Lexington Airport for testing and that the county’s current fees are "probably half what they should be." The board asked staff to include airport/VUAS items in the upcoming ordinance and to present recommended rates.

On planning fees, staff proposed a 10% long‑range planning surcharge on certain land‑use applications to generate earmarked funds for comprehensive‑plan and transportation updates. Staff noted the county is legally constrained to charge fees that reflect the actual cost of services, and that a time study would provide empirical support for permanent fee increases. Commissioners debated whether to raise base fees now or apply a temporary surcharge until the time study is completed and returned to the board for next year’s budgeting.

Commissioner discussion produced a working consensus to include the 10% surcharge in the ordinance as an interim measure, pursue a time study to justify permanent increases, and return with contract/fee‑share details for the Umatilla County environmental health contract and airport fee calculations. Staff said they would prepare the ordinance and a contract‑breakdown for the board to review.