A recent decision by the Lyon County Commission to nix reconstruction fees for lagoons and septic systems could end up costing the county’s Environmental Health Program around 5 percent of its budget this year.
Lougene Marsh, executive director of the Lyon County Health Center, said this week that the Environmental Health Program, of the Lyon County Health Department, did 27 re-constructions last year at $395 apiece for a total of $10,665.
“It’s not inconsequential at all,” Marsh said.
Lyon County commissioners voted early in January to do away with the reconstruction fees. Marsh said the department will talk with commissioners on Feb. 14 about the issue.
“Obviously there are several choices they can mull over,” Marsh said.
Marsh said for 2007, the Environmental Health Program’s budget is set roughly at $196,000. The program is funded three ways: one is by fees (food service inspections, wastewater inspections and reconstruction fees); a grant for $19,764; and support from Lyon County through taxes.
“Those are really the only three sources of revenue that support our program,” Marsh said.
Taking $10,000 out of a budget that is so small leaves a hole, Marsh said.
“Obviously in a budget that is a little under $200,000, $10,000 is like 5 percent of your budget,” Marsh said. “It does create a hole. That’s what I want to talk to commissioners about.”
Marsh said commissioners did away with the inspection fees that resulted from regular cycle inspections last September. There were two of those inspections before that action by commissioners.
“I think there may have been some misunderstanding and some belief that those two cycle fees were the only fees collected,” Marsh said. “That wasn’t correct. We want to go back to them and make sure they are clear about the facts.”
johnsie (anonymous) says...
If I'm not mistaken, when we had our meeting at the Anderson Building Mrs. Marsh assured us that she had personnel, etc. in place so that money would not be a concern in inspecting lagoons if her program was implemented. Tell us anything; expect us to swallow it; and then get right back in there and let your greed for power and money take over. I don't like it.
January 31, 2007 at 9:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
johnsie (anonymous) says...
Regarding my comment submitted last night on L. Marsh's statement---I was incorrect on the location. She made this statement at the Sanitation Meeting which was held in the Court House Jury Room --- not at the Anderson Building Meeting.
February 1, 2007 at 7:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )