Bill Enables Fee Hikes for Local Health Departments

By Gary Gray, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

Feb. 24–Local health departments could increase fees by up to 25 percent each year until they hit new caps under a bill approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

“We do have a need for that bill to pass,” said Shelley Martin, Monongalia County Health Department public health educator. “Prices have gone up every year, and we’re doing the same types of work. But we haven’t had a fee increase since 1991.”

The new maximum fees increase existing amounts for numerous permits, and include $50 for small day-care centers, $100 for a hotel with 20 or fewer rooms and $300 for most types of sewer systems. The highest new maximum is $500 for the annual permit needed by a restaurant with 81 or more seats and a liquor license.

The bill (SB348) would also allow the departments to charge a new fee of $50 for permits for large public gatherings, but only if they exceed 500 people.

“In Mon County, for a restaurant with 81 seats or more, the (current) fee is $150,” Martin said. “But the bottom line is that this will still keep West Virginia’s fees lower than surrounding states. And this will help us improve public health, which is the most important thing.”

The new fees were first proposed last year. Legislative action follows a public hearing in July at which local health officials told lawmakers that the fees have not been increased for 15 years and the money provides as much as one-fifth of their annual budgets.

“I have voted for that legislation,” said Sen. Michael A. Oliverio II, D-Monongalia. “The county health departments provide a valuable service, and I think the proposed increase is reasonable.”

The bill was sent to the Senate on a voice vote.

An identical bill (HB4202) is pending in the House Judiciary Committee.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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