Oct. 12, 2023

Kitsap Public Health Board to consider environmental health fee changes for 2024

The public is invited to comment on the proposed 2024 environmental health fee schedule in person, online, or in writing.

KITSAP COUNTY, WA  —  At its regular Nov. 7 meeting, the Kitsap Public Health Board will accept public comments and consider approval of an updated environmental health fee schedule for 2024. 

The proposed fee schedule would increase fees for food service establishments, pools, and camps by 6%. Fees for other types of environmental health permits would remain unchanged. Scroll down to see details on the proposed fee schedule. 

Environmental health fees are fees charged by the Kitsap Public Health District cover the cost of providing permitting services for food establishments, public pools, drinking water wells, onsite septic systems, solid and hazardous waste facilities, and other activities regulated by the District. The Health Board’s Budget Policy has an established goal that permit fees should recover the costs of providing the permit service work (e.g., staff time for inspections, travel costs, etc.).

Submitting public comments

You can submit comments regarding environmental health fees at the Nov. 7 Kitsap Public Health Board meeting, scheduled for 10:30-11:45 a.m.

Comments 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. 

You can also submit comments 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 changes

Based on direction from the Health Board's Finance Committee, the Health District drafted a proposed 2024 environmental health fee schedule, which can be viewed here.

Proposed changes for 2024 include: 

• Food and Living Environment fees, including permit fees for food establishments, pools and camps, would increase by 6%. This increase is based on a 2023 consumer price index (CPI) of 6.9%. The CPI measures the change in prices that consumers pay for goods. 
  
  
  • If the 6% fee increase is approved for 2024, permit fees for food establishments would increase by $20 to $50. 
    
    
  • The Health District did not increase food permit fees in 2021 or 2022 to help reduce the financial burden of the COVID-19 pandemic on food businesses. Fees were increased 6% in 2023.
    
    
  • Even with a 6% increase in 2024, Food and Living Environment fees would not cover the full cost of administering services. 

• Other environmental health fees, including fees for drinking water wells, onsite sewage (septic systems) would not change in 2024.
  
  
• View the Proposed 2024 Environmental Health Fee Schedule for full details. Proposed changes are highlighted in yellow. 

Documents:

• Proposed 2024 Environmental Health Fee Schedule
• 2023 Environmental Health Fee Schedule

CONTACT: 

Tad Sooter | Public Information Officer
Kitsap Public Health District
360-728-2330 - office | (360) 728-2235 - main
pio@kitsappublichealth.org | kitsappublichealth.org