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Commissioners press Huron County Public Health on septic permit delays and higher fees
Summary
County commissioners pressed Huron County Public Health officials on July 1 about long septic-permit wait times, technical review requirements tied to Ohio Department of Health rules, and a $134,000 annual county subsidy; public-health staff said stricter state enforcement and newer system technologies explain delays and that hiring would improve timeliness but raise costs.
At a July 1 meeting, Huron County commissioners pressed Public Health officials about repeated public complaints that septic permits take too long, cost more and feel cumbersome for contractors.
Commissioner Bradley R. Mesenburg led the discussion with Tim Hollinger (Commissioner, Huron County Public Health), Eric Cherry (Director of Environmental, Huron County Public Health) and Nicole Marks (Community Programs Division Director). Commissioners said constituents report lengthy wait times and higher fees compared with neighboring counties; officials said the county subsidizes the program by about $134,000 per year.
"We’re losing $134,000 per year," Hollinger told the board, explaining the department underwrites part of the program because state-mandated cost methodologies and program rules limit fee structures. Hollinger and Cherry said the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) now enforces technical standards adopted since about 2015; the newer technologies and more detailed reviews mean permit reviews take longer than in the past.
Mr. Cherry said designers must use among 15 different approved technologies and that review often requires back-and-forth with designers when a plan needs revision. He added Huron County has implemented program changes and updated materials to meet ODH expectations, and other counties have not yet adopted the same standards.
Commissioners asked whether Huron County could streamline the process. Cherry said the primary options are to hire more staff to speed reviews or continue the current staffing level; hiring would improve timeliness but increase program costs and therefore fees unless the board opts to continue subsidizing operations. Hollinger invited Commissioner Tom Dunlap to attend the finance committee meeting on Aug. 7 to discuss hiring and possible budget adjustments.
The exchange clarified distinctions between discussion (policy choices on staffing and subsidies), administrative direction (finance committee review and possible hiring authorization), and formal action (none taken at the meeting to change fees or staffing). Commissioners repeatedly noted public perception that health-department staff are "unelected" and perceived to have outsized authority; public-health officials emphasized that many technical requirements and surveys come from the Ohio Department of Health, which surveys local health departments on a periodic cycle.
The board recessed at 10:11 a.m. and later entered an executive session; the public-health discussion concluded without a vote to change staffing or fees. The board requested follow-up discussion at the finance committee and further internal review of timeliness metrics and staffing needs.
Sources: statements by Commissioners Bradley R. Mesenburg, Tom Dunlap and Harry Brady; Commissioner Tim Hollinger; Eric Cherry, Director of Environmental; and Administrator Vickie Ziemba at the July 1 meeting.
