Fee hike approved

In an effort to increase revenue, the Jay County Commissioners gave preliminary approval to increase some fees for the Jay County Health Department.
County health officer Dr. Stephen Myron presented the commissioners with a listing of fees that the Jay County Health Board suggested to increase to help bolster revenues.
“My board has looked at this and they’ve gone over these,” Myron said. “They’re OK with it.”
The increase in fees include increased permit costs for food vendors, permits for septic systems and privies, and an increased administration fee for injections dispensed at the health department, among others.
Myron said the fees are comparable to other neighboring counties.
“Are you uncomfortable with any of these?” asked commissioner Milo Miller Jr.
“Me? No,” answered Myron.
The commissioners told Myron that they will draft an ordinance and formally adopt the fee increases.
While at this morning’s meeting, Myron also asked the commissioners to increase the compensation given to the public health coordinator position to $750 per month from $600.
The position, which does emergency planning and public preparedness, is currently held by Robyn Fisher-Meyer, who was appointed by the commissioners in June.
Myron said the position is by an $800 per month grant and that he wants the increase for the position since the department does not pay for mileage or other costs incurred.
“That is covered by a grant,” he said. “If that grant goes away, that person goes away.”
The commissioners approved the compensation increase to $750 per month for the position.
In other business this morning, the commissioners:
•Signed an emergency claim for $104.50 to pay for repairs to a laser level for Jay County Surveyor Brad Daniels. Daniels said the repair company in Minnesota will not return the level until it receives payment.
•Were updated by Miller on the situation involving the Portland Pioneer Cemetery. Miller said he met with the Jay County Cemetery Commission and was informed of their intention to try to obtain the nearly two acres of land west of Jaqua Avenue where the cemetery lies.
Miller also reported that the land’s current owner, Dean Poole, gave the cemetery commission permission to go into the woods and spray the brush in an effort to begin cleaning up the area.
The commissioners are in the process of working with Poole to obtain the land so that the cemetery can be re-established. Poole is asking for reimbursement of some property taxes that have been paid in exchange for signing over the land.[[In-content Ad]]