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Beltrami County staff tell commissioners they can resume collecting felony supervision fees; estimate ~ $15,000 a year
Summary
A county probation official told commissioners that changes in FY26 mean counties now bear felony supervision costs and a board resolution could restore local collection of felony supervision fees beginning July 1, with projected revenue in the low tens of thousands but uncertain collection rates.
A county probation official told the Beltrami County Board of Commissioners on May 31 that, following state changes in fiscal year 2026, the county can again collect felony supervision fees locally and use the receipts to help cover the county's felony-office costs.
"There's now an opportunity for the county to again collect felony supervision fees," the probation official said, adding that the fees would go to the county rather than the state beginning July 1 if the board adopts a resolution.
Why it matters: For roughly four years the county did not collect felony supervision fees because those fees went to the state when the state had been covering felony-office costs. The presenter said the state now charges counties for the full costs of felony supervision, creating a fiscal rationale for resuming local collection.
The official characterized the potential revenue as modest and uncertain: "If I were to take a rough guess at how much that would generate, I'm not sure. It would be probably in the neighborhood of about $15,000 a year, would be my best guess, give or take." The official also said prior collections had ranged in past years from about $12,000 to $15,000.
Commissioners asked about the practical likelihood of collecting from people under supervision, noting many individuals are low-income and may be unable to pay. The presenter said collection rates vary and that the state statute permits community work service to be used in lieu of payment for those found indigent.
No formal vote was taken. The item was presented for the board's consideration and the official asked commissioners whether they wished to bring a resolution back for formal action. The board did not act during the meeting.
What remains unclear: The presentation included a revenue estimate and referenced state statute for indigent exemptions, but commissioners did not receive a detailed estimate of administrative costs of collection, nor a firm projection of net revenue after enforcement and waiver costs. The official said the county currently supervises roughly 1,400 individuals across levels and that annual collections from misdemeanor and gross-misdemeanor supervision historically total about $12,000 for the county, with felony-level figures previously netting roughly $12,000'$15,000 when the county or state collected.
Next steps: The board may place a resolution on a future agenda to authorize collection beginning July 1; commissioners requested staff follow up with any relevant policy language and more precise financial analysis before formal action.
