Oct. 24, 2022

Kitsap Public Health Board to consider proposed environmental health fee changes on Nov. 1

The public is invited to comment on the proposed 2023 environmental health fee schedule in person, online, or in writing. 

KITSAP COUNTY, WA  —  At its regular Nov. 1 meeting, the Kitsap Public Health Board will consider approval of an updated environmental health fee schedule for 2023. The proposed fee schedule would increase permit fees for food service establishments and public pools, while reducing some fees for drinking water and onsite sewage systems. 

The Health Board meeting is scheduled for 12:30-1:45 p.m. Comments on the proposed fee schedule will be taken during the regular public comment portion of the meeting agenda. Members of the public can attend the meeting and provide comments in person at the Norm Dicks Government Center, 345 6th Street, Bremerton, or online or by phone via Zoom. Zoom instructions will be posted on the Health Board meeting page prior to the meeting. 

Written comments can be submitted prior to the meeting by mail or email:

• Mail comments to: Kitsap Public Health Board, Attention: Executive Secretary, 345 6th Street, Suite 300, Bremerton, WA 98337
• Email: healthboard@kitsappublichealth.org

Proposed environmental health fee schedule adjustments

Environmental health fees are fees charged by the Kitsap Public Health District cover the cost of providing licensing and permitting services for food service establishments, public pools, drinking water wells, onsite septic systems, solid and hazardous waste facilities, and other activities regulated by the District. 

Health District staff presented options for environmental health fee changes to the Health Board at its Oct. 4 meeting. The District received additional input from the Health Board's finance committee on Oct. 19. 

Based on direction from the Board, the Health District drafted a proposed 2023 environmental health fee schedule, which can be viewed here.

Proposed changes for 2023 include: 

• Food and Living Environment Program fees would generally be increased by 6%. This increase is less than the 9.1% consumer price index fee escalator previously authorized by the Board. 
  
  
• Certain fees for food plan reviews would be increased by a greater percentage.
  
  
• Some Drinking Water/Onsite Sewage Program fees (onsite sewage installation permits and yearly onsite sewage maintenance contract fee) would be reduced for 2023.
  
  
• All other Drinking Water/Onsite Sewage, Solid and Hazardous Waste, and Pollution Identification and Correction program fees would generally be held status quo at 2022 rates.
  
  
• Other miscellaneous updates would be made to simplify the fee schedule.

Additional background:

• Proposed 2023 Environmental Health Fee Schedule
• 2022 Environmental Health Fee Schedule
• Oct. 4 Kitsap Public Health Board presentation and video recording (discussion starts at 14:44)