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St. Croix County board approves 1% increase to environmental health fees to sustain inspections program
Summary
The Health and Human Services Board voted unanimously to raise environmental health fees by 1% to support licensing and inspection of nearly 700 facilities; the program is fee-funded, and the increase was attributed to salary/benefit pressures offset by facility growth.
St. Croix County’s Health and Human Services Board voted March 19 to approve a 1% increase in environmental health fees, citing personnel costs and steady growth in licensed facilities.
"A portion of our environmental health program is agent contracts with both Department of Agriculture and DSPS to license and inspect a number of different types of facilities," Lori Diaby told the board, noting the county licenses nearly 700 facilities and runs the program on fees rather than tax levy. Diaby said the modest increase was possible because growth in the number of facilities helps spread costs.
Board member (unidentified) moved to approve the proposed 1% increase; another board member seconded. On the roll-call vote the board recorded 'Aye' from Mike Hartwell, Cassie Leaf, Lisa Lind, Deb Lindeman, Julie Smith and Greg Telejohn; the chair announced the motion passes.
Diaby explained that the annual license fee covers one routine inspection and built-in follow-up when needed, with additional reinspection fees charged if multiple reinspections are required for repeated violations. She said temporary closures are rare and most closures relate to swimming pools when water-quality parameters fall outside acceptable ranges.
The change proceeds immediately to be incorporated into the county’s environmental health fee schedule and supports ongoing inspection and licensing obligations the county performs under state contract.
