Skagit County proposes fee increases for environmental health permits

Jan. 23—Skagit County Public Health plans to raise fees for various permits in its environmental health division, including those for food establishments, drinking water and liquid waste.

County Environment Health Manager Britt Pfaff Dunton said the increases had been planned in 2019, but that the COVID-19 pandemic forced a delay.

Inflation also played a part.

Pfaff Dunton said as prices increase, "we want to make sure that the fees are reflective of what the actual costs for those services are."

Proposed changes include raising the price for a day or youth camp permit, a well site inspection and an annual food establishment permit.

The fee schedule was last updated in 2013.

The proposed schedule of charges is open to public comment by email, mail, or hand delivery until Feb. 23.

The county Board of Health plans to hold a hearing about the proposed changes at 1 p.m.Feb. 23 in Mount Vernon.

— Reporter Emma Fletcher-Frazer: efletcher-frazer@skagitpublishing.com, 360-416-2199, Twitter: @Emma_SVH

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