VANCOUVER, Wash. -– A new fee schedule for Clark Public Health took effect last week based on recent action by the Board of Health.
Many fees have been reduced, including those charged to inspect restaurants operating from fixed locations. The changes reflect the board’s decision to increase public funding for services that benefit everyone.
However, some fees have been increased, in keeping with an ongoing effort to track and recover costs for services that benefit specific organizations or individuals.
In all, the new fees are designed to decrease expenses for some businesses and consumers, while continuing to use a fee-for-service approach to the extent it is fair and appropriate.
“We have been working to refine our fees for several years in response to statewide challenges in public health, the downturn in the economy and the preferences of local policymakers,” said Marni Storey, deputy director of Public Health. “This year’s analysis, discussion and board approval is a critical part of our plan to operate through 2012.”
Public health fees help prevent the spread of disease through food, drinking water and water recreation facilities.
