Title
Joint resolution amending the Lake County Health Department Environmental Health Fees Schedule (as authorized in Lake County Code of Ordinances Chapter 178).
Staff Summary
• Certain documents associated with Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems or Water Well permits are required by ordinance to be recorded with the property on which the permit is approved.
o Environmental Health has had an agreement with the Recorder of Deeds Office to collect this fee and then provide the documents to be recorded and paid in batches. This fee, along with a small service fee (currently $5, but subject to the Consumer Price Index), was included into the Environmental Health Fees Schedule to allow for its collection.
o On December 1, 2017 the fee for recording a standard document was increased by the Recorder of Deeds Office from $39 to $60.
o To allow for collection of this new fee, we are proposing to amend the Environmental Health Fees Schedule to indicate that the fee shall be assessed in accordance with the current Lake County Recorder of Deeds Schedule of Recording Fees. In the spirit of shared services, we are proposing to eliminate the service fee, which amounted to only $170 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2017, and $230 in FY 2016.
• The multi-department Land Team, composed of Health, Planning, Building and Development, Stormwater Management, Public Works and Transportation, conducted an analysis of permit types to consider moving into the fast track or same day permit category.
o Efficiencies created due to the implementation of a County-wide permitting system include an enhanced ability to approve permits at the counter at the time of submittal, or online through a citizen self-service portal.
o Implementation will enhance customer experience by providing applications on line and/or same day service at the counter for an estimated 1,700 customers in 2018. Based on 2017 permit activity, this would save 30,000 vehicle miles for customers who can now apply on line or avoid a return trip.
o The analysis determined some fees could be reduced as a result of the efficiencies.
o The proposed changes in the fee schedule are: the permit to eliminate an abandoned septic tank be reduced from $105 to $75; the fee for a seasonal medium risk temporary food permit be reduced from $144 to $125.
o The estimated reduction in revenue is $4,740.
• A language change is proposed to replace the phrase “The Population Health Services Director” with “The Health Officer” in the lab fees section to be consistent with three other references in this Fees Schedule and in other Health Department ordinances.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Lake County Health Department is authorized to enforce local ordinances regulating wells, onsite wastewater treatment (septic) systems and food service facilities to protect the public’s health; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Board incorporated the Well and Water Regulations Ordinance into the Lake County Code of Ordinances at Chapter 170, the Lake County Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Ordinance into the Lake County Code of Ordinances at Chapter 171, and the Lake County Food Service Regulations Ordinance into the Lake County Code of Ordinances at Chapter 173 on November 12, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Chapters 170, 171 and 173 of the Lake County Code of Ordinances, also authorize the Lake County Health Department to assess and collect fees for permits and/or other services described in these ordinances; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 178 of the Lake County Code of Ordinances codifies the establishment and amendment of a schedule of fees and charges for services provided by the Lake County Health Department under Title XVII of the Lake County Code of Ordinances; and
WHEREAS, the fees for Environmental Health services are contained in the Environmental Health Fees Schedule; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Health Department has proposed amendments to the Environmental Health Fees Schedule that pertain to the assessment and collection of fees for the required recording of documents with the Lake County Recorder of Deeds Office related to wells and/or to onsite wastewater treatment systems; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Health Department has proposed amendments to the Environmental Health Fees Schedule that pertain to the assessment and collection of permit fees for seasonal temporary food service, and for the elimination of abandoned septic tank components; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Health Department has also proposed amendments to the Environmental Health Fees Schedule that create consistency in language pertaining to the authority of the Health Officer; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Board of Health has approved the proposed amendments to the Environmental Health Fees Schedule on January 24, 2018; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Board of Health has recommended that the proposed amendments to the Environmental Health Fees Schedule be referred to the County Board for approval; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that the amendments to the Environmental Health Fees Schedule herewith be approved and made a matter of Lake County law.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Lake County Clerk is hereby authorized to distribute certified copies of the amended Ordinance to the County Administrator, Comptroller, and the Executive Director of the Lake County Health Department.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on February 13, 2018.