1/21/11 Health board votes to raise RV, pool fees

  • January 21, 2011
  • 261
                        
With an eye on shoring up finances for basic services, the Holmes County Health Board voted to raise fees for pool and RV park licensing. The board voted to set fees for RV park licensing at $325 and pool licensing at $340 for 2011. The rates are higher than those suggested by Health Commissioner Dr. D.J. McFadden, who presented recommendations of $275 for RV parks and $325 for pools. Boardmember Paul Miller suggested the increases because the higher rates will mean less money out of the health district’s pocket, money that could be applied to other services. “My opinion is, we’re very modest in computing costs,” Miller said. “There are more needy people in the county than those with pools and spas. There are other services, people who can use (the extra amount).” The fees are set using a cost methodology estimated at the state level. The state sets a high mark, and regional health districts may choose how close, or far, to set fees. In the case of the 2011 fees, the high cost for the health district is $344, McFadden said. Miller’s vote came after McFadden said the fees do not cover all of the health district’s cost wrapped up in preparing the licenses. “The actual cost is higher,” McFadden said. “District health (dollars) are supplementing these.” McFadden said the RV licensure line item is in the black, but the pools line item “is not stable right now.” Miller said raising the pool fees alone would “free up” an additional $1,000, based on the 20 pools and spas in the county that are subject to licensure through the county. “Our responsibility is to look at the bottom line,” Miller said. Pool fees were $250 last year, McFadden said. A hearing on the rates will be held Feb. 18 at the next regular meeting of the health district. McFadden said that the pool fees may be waived if the operating entity is a municipality or a non-profit. The waivers are decided on a case-by-case basis, McFadden said. In other business, the board suspended the food service license for the Horse and Harness Pub. The suspension is due to a fire that badly damaged the restaurant, McFadden said, and will be restored once the restaurant is back in working order. The next meeting of the Holmes County Health Board will be held Feb. 18 at 8:30 a.m.


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