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County clerk proposes repealing Ordinance 52.103 so fee schedule can be managed administratively
Summary
County Clerk Amy Hutchinson asked the board to repeal Ordinance 52.103 and adopt a County Clerk Schedule of Fees to avoid two‑hearing requirements when state‑driven fee changes occur; the board discussed and heard that any fee changes would still be subject to public meetings.
County Clerk Amy Hutchinson explained Feb. 5 why she asked the Board of Commissioners to repeal Lake County Ordinance 52.103 and move the fee schedule to a County Clerk Schedule of Fees.
Hutchinson said county counsel advised fee schedules do not need to be codified as ordinances except when directed by the governing authority; most county fee minimums are set by Oregon Administrative Rule or Oregon Revised Statute, and keeping fees as an ordinance forces a two‑hearing process to accommodate state changes. Hutchinson said adopting a clerk‑managed fee schedule would "save time and money," while any fee changes would still come before the Board at a public meeting.
Vice‑Chair Barry Shullanberger asked that the record reflect the change was not an attempt to alter fees without public notice; Hutchinson agreed and emphasized that any fee change would still be approved at a public meeting. The board did not adopt the repeal during the Feb. 5 session; Hutchinson also briefed commissioners on an online search system for Clerk's Office documents that is scheduled to go live on the county website by March 1, 2025.
Next steps: Hutchinson will bring formal repeal language or a proposed resolution back to the board for consideration and to clarify the mechanics of moving the schedule from ordinance to clerk fee schedule.
