SALEM — The Salem City Board of Health on Tuesday held a second reading of proposed 2026 fees for food service operations, tattoo and piercing studios, and public swimming pools.

The health department annually reviews and proposes fees using a cost methodology based on staff time spent on licensing, inspections and administration. The fees require three readings by the board, with a public hearing held before the final vote.

The final reading was originally scheduled for Tuesday but was delayed after last month’s meeting ended early due to lack of a quorum. Board member Bill Wilkins, who had served since 2019, resigned Oct. 9 following a medical emergency involving a family member. His vacant seat, combined with absences by members Newt McKnight and Susan Albert, left the board unable to act.

The public hearing is now set for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 17, immediately before the regular 2 p.m. meeting, when the final reading is expected.

The plan review fee for businesses selling food will remain $275 for both new establishments and remodels. Food service and public pool fees do not include additional state-required charges.

Proposed 2026 food service fees (with 2025 fees in parentheses) include:

— Risk classification, less than 25,000 square feet: Level one $135.97 ($116.87); level two $151.61 ($129.63); level three $278.89 ($291.46); level four $349.89 ($291.46).

— More than 25,000 square feet: Level one $191.01 ($161.79); level two $200.40 ($169.45); level three $678.90 ($559.98); level four $718.94 ($592.66).

— Other fees: Vending $15.12 ($14.66); mobile high-risk $115 ($103.40), low-risk $57.50 ($51.70); food truck permit $100 yearly or $137.50 daily; Super Cruise inspections $25 plus $10 per unit; temporary facility (per event) $0.

Health Commissioner Kayla Crowl also updated cost methodologies for pool and tattoo safety programs to better reflect inspection costs. Proposed inspection fees for pools and spas are $250, up from $205, with additional units at the same location rising to $145 from $100. Inspections for tattoo or piercing establishments would increase from $150 to $155, and combined tattoo/piercing establishments from $300 to $310. Registration fees for artists and apprentices would rise from $40 to $45.

In other items that were to be discussed Wednesday after last month’s lack of decorum, was a request from the legal representatives of Mark Courtney to have a housing violation issued for one of his rental properties at 637 Columbia St. for lack of proper roof drainage dismissed, but that item was removed from the agenda.

Courtney owns multiple rental units in the city and is involved in an ongoing case challenging the legality of the city’s occupancy license applications, fees and inspection requirements in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio Eastern Division.