COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

 

DATE:

October 29, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

November 6, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Four-fifths vote

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene A. Silva, Director of Health Department

Brian J. Zamora, Director of Public Health and Environmental Protection Division

SUBJECT:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Environmental Health Program Fees for 2008 through 2011: Amendment to sections of the San Mateo County Code, Approve of an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR)

 

RECOMMENDATION:

A.

Adopt an Ordinance repealing and replacing sections of San Mateo County Ordinance Code, Title 5, which include Environmental Health Program fees for 2008 through 2011; and

B.

Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR), recognizing unanticipated revenue in Licensing, Permits, and Franchises ($72,697) and Charges for Services ($98,652) and increasing appropriations in Other Charges ($171,349).

 

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal 7: Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors.

The fee increases contribute to this commitment and goal by assuring that those who use Environmental Health services pay the cost of providing those services. Programs that provide services that benefit the entire community are partially subsidized by taxes and grant funding.

 

BACKGROUND:

Section 510 of the California Health and Safety Code permits recovery of costs incurred in enforcing county ordinances and state laws. Environmental Health fees are established by ordinance of the Board of Supervisors and are effective for both cities and unincorporated areas of the County. In 2003, your Board approved a four-year fee package developed to recover actual program costs. The existing fees sunset on December 31, 2007.

 

SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION:

Environmental Health provides unique public health services, community and business education, and regulatory oversight through the technical expertise and consultation of professional staff. Environmental Health relies on revenue from permits, fees for service, and grants to offset the majority of program costs.

 

Environmental Health conducted a survey of other counties of similar size and location. A comparison of the proposed San Mateo County fees with other Bay Area counties reveals that the fees are generally less than the Bay Area average. The proposed fees were reviewed with staff in the County Manager’s Office, and the fee ordinance was reviewed by County Counsel.

 

The proposed Ordinance establishes fee increases in two phases: (1) an increase effective January 1, 2008, to better align program fees to program expenses, and (2) annual fee increases of 3% effective January 1, 2009, 3% effective January 2010, and 3% effective January 2011, to offset anticipated cost-of-living adjustments.

 

This proposed four-year fee package recovers the costs of increases in staff salaries and benefits and program delivery costs (including information technology, equipment, and office space). The proposed fee schedule includes several new categories and adjustments in the Medical Waste and Groundwater Protection Programs and eliminates two fee categories in the Hazardous Materials Program.

 

Environmental Health staff have notified the Tri-County Apartment Association, the California Restaurant Association, the Grocers Association, the Peninsula Industrial Business Association (PIBA), the Harbor Industrial Association, the Industrial Emergency Council, and the Real Estate Association regarding the proposed fee increases. All public notification requirements have been met.

 

FISCAL IMPACT

The proposed fee ordinance takes effect thirty (30) days after adoption. During preparation of the Environmental Health FY 2007-08 Budget, a cost-of-living increase in fees was anticipated and included in the budget. The balance of the increase in revenues ($171,349) is included in the Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) and will be set aside to meet costs associated with relocating Environmental Health. There will be no change in Net County Cost as a result of this action.