4/18/14 Health board reverses on license fee waiver for non-profot concession stands

  • By Nick Sabo
  • April 18, 2014
  • 417
                        
SUMMARY: Previously granted 50 percent waiver of local fees at Deer Run, Loudonville pool With an eye on its budget, the Holmes County District Board of Health decided not to grant waiver of fees requested by two non-profit concession stands. The board, voting Friday April 18, decided not to waive licensing fees for concession stands at Deer Run Park, Millersburg, and the Loudonville Pool. Previously, the board has granted requests from the two entities to reduce the local share of licensure fees by half. The health district charges both concession stands a $393 licensing fee, and the Ohio Department of Health charges an additional $28, according to director of environmental health Jon Croup. Loudonville further asked that the local share of pool licensure fees be waived. The board turned down this request as well; Croup said the board has routinely turned down requests for pool licensure. The 50 percent waiver would lower the concession stand licensing fee to $196.50. The board’s decision was prompted by health commissioner Dr. D.J. McFadden. McFadden suggested that the board not grant fee waivers due to the district’s financial condition. The health district has been hit with reduced funding over the last several years and is considering a levy in November. The suggestion prompted a lengthy discussion on the matter, exploring the health board’s desire to be good stewards of available dollars, as well as its history of helping out public entities. McFadden said it is health district policy that, if a public entity requests a waiver of local fees, it will go before the health board for consideration. Boardmember Paul Miller expressed concern whether the savings might be more than they are worth in terms of public relations. Boardmember Pat Wanat said declining the fee waiver sends the right message. “I think it sends a message that we are watching our pennies,” Wanat said. “I don’t think ($196.50) will break anyone.” The board further discussed dropping the policy that allows public entities to ask for the waiver, but took no action on the discussion. The health board waived 50 percent of the local fee for the two concession stands in 2010, 2012 and 2013, Croup said. In 2011, the health board voted not to waive a portion of the local fee. The local fees are used to cover the health district’s expenses when licensing a facility. In other business, the board held a second reading on new water fees. The new fees are as follows: Construction of a test well for any private water system, $219; construction of a pond for a single family dwelling, $219; construction of a well not previously approved as a private water system into a private water system for a single family dwelling, $219; construction of a well not previously approved as a private water system for a non-single family dwelling, $314; inspection of a private water systems contractor, $25; fees for the collection and examination of any necessary water sample taken, $25; fees for a well commenced prior to a permit, 25 percent of the local fee, according to Ohio Revised Code 3709.09 (D); fees for supplying and/or hauling water from an unapproved water source to a private water system by a registered or unregistered water hauler, $200.


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