On Dec. 7th, the Kitsap County Board of Health (BOH) will hold a public hearing to discuss the proposed 2005 Environmental Health Fee Schedule. The Environmental Health Division requested increases in service charges in all five of its major programs. If approved, new service charges will become effective on Jan. 1, 2005.

The Environmental Health Division requested increases in On-Site Sewage and Drinking Water Program permit/application fees and other service charges to cover the following:

An 8.5 percent increase in the actual cost of providing services, which include a cost of living adjustment for Environmental Health Program staff, increases in administrative overhead, higher rates for medical insurance coverage and increases in mileage reimbursement due to rising fuel prices. As a result of these higher costs, the hourly rate to cover Health District services is increasing 6.25 percent from $85 to $90.