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Commissioners set public hearing on proposed noxious-weed fee increases after staff presentation
Summary
Weed-control staff proposed raising contract-spraying rates (employee $30→$45; equipment $40→$55; cost-share from $70/hour to $35/acre) to align with grant match rules and neighboring counties; commissioners voted to post the changes and hold a hearing.
Hansen, the county weed-control representative, reviewed a proposed update to county fee schedules for contract spraying and cost-share programs. He said the county’s previous rates were outdated and that costs for materials and labor have increased: "If we go off our rates, we're looking about $75 an hour...If we go off state rates, you're looking closer to 85." He recommended changing the employee hourly rate from $30 to $45, equipment hourly from $40 to $55, and setting the cost-share spraying to $35 per acre to meet a 1:1 match in state grant applications.
Commissioner (S4) moved to approve the proposed noxious-weed fee increase and file it for public notice; Commissioner Clark seconded the motion. Commissioners agreed that the proposed rates are in line with nearby counties’ rates and directed staff to publish the ordinance twice and place the item on a regular meeting agenda for a public hearing. The roll call vote to set the hearing and publish the rates was recorded as aye by the commissioners present.
Staff said they would confirm final language with legal counsel before publication and return with the hearing date and packet materials. The action sets the process for public notice and a formal hearing rather than immediately adopting the fee schedule.
