OROVILLE — Every year, the Butte County Board of Supervisors looks at the Master Fee Schedule to determine if and where changes need to be made based on any new variables. That will take place again at the supervisors’ next meeting Tuesday.
The fees are generally related to services provided by the county. A study was conducted and presented before the board in 2017, at which time the board opted to update the Master Fee Schedule annually going forward.
According to the related staff report, changes are typically based on the Employment Cost Index, or ECI. It is noted that since the last discussion in October 2022, the ECI has gone up by just short of 5% based on findings from the second quarters of 2022 and 2023.
Multiple county departments — including administration, the agricultural commissioner, development services, public works, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office and more — are recommending that the board approve increases based on the updated ECI.
Additionally, the Butte County Public Health Department will be requesting the addition of a laboratory testing fee to the Master Fee Schedule.
It is estimated that with the newly proposed increases in fees, county revenue will rise by $193,975 for the general fund along with $114,484 for the public health fund and $23,469 for the road fund.
Once approved by the board, all changes to the fees go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024.
Other business
Aside from the fee adjustments, the board will also be discussing a budget adjustment for the purpose of reimbursing the North Valley Animal Disaster Group for services provided during recent disasters. The total cost comes out to $199,046 and requires a four-fifths vote by the board to pass.
The board will also review a series of proposed liens on properties determined to be a public nuisance.
The Butte County Board of Supervisors generally meets at 9 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at its chambers located at 25 County Center Drive, Suite 205 in Oroville. Meetings are free and open to the public.
