Columbiana County Health District approve first reading of food service fees
Costs are staying the same, decreasing from 2026
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LISBON -- The proposed food service fees for next year through the Columbiana County Health District appear to be staying the same or decreasing from this year's fees, with two more readings required for passage.
The county health district board held first reading on the proposed fees on Wednesday, along with first reading on environmental fees and resolutions dealing with plumbing and with operations and maintenance related to sewage treatment systems.
Director of Environmental Health Laura Fauss, who also serves as the public information officer for the district, said the program provided by the state was used for the food fee analysis. She said a majority of the fees are going to be very similar, noting they've been relatively steady.
Health Commissioner Dr. Wesley Vins said, "I think the staff has done a good job keeping control of costs."
He did note the state of Ohio was looking to increase its portion of the fees, which are tacked on to what the district determines for its fees.
The proposed county health district food service fees, by risk level and size, not including the state's portion, include (showing the current rate first, then the new rate): commercial under 25,000 square feet, risk level 1, staying at $208, risk level 2, staying at $235, risk level 3, decreasing from $454 to $431, risk level 4, decreasing from $576 to $536; commercial 25,000 square feet and over, risk level 1, decreasing from $303 to $301, risk level 2, decreasing from $319 to $315, risk level 3, decreasing from $1,142 to $1,024, risk level 4, decreasing from $1,211 to $1,083.
The mobile fee will stay at $131, with the low risk mobile fee staying at $65.50. Temporary event fees will stay at $138. The vending fee, which is also based on the previous year's consumer price index, will increase from $13.37 to $13.73.
Fauss said the district is required to review the food service fees with a cost analysis every year. She said the environmental fees haven't been updated for many years, with all the fees proposed to increase for next year.
Those fees include: real estate septic only, increasing from $240 (established 2013) to $290; real estate well only, increasing from $60 (established 2009) to $75; real estate both, increasing from $275 (established 2013) to $315; trip, increasing from $35 (established 2009) to $50; water sample, increasing from $60 (established 2009) to $75, service contract review, establishing a new fee of $10; and homeowner service provider, establishing a new fee of $50.
The board approved a plumbing program policy update of internal policies, with first reading of the plumbing resolution to make some adjustments to the current resolution. There was also first reading of the Operation & Maintenance management regulations for sewage treatment systems.
During her report, Fauss shared some feel-good positive news from her department regarding a message left by a resident about how helpful Sewage Program Manager Kevin Summerville was during a recent interaction and how a woman praised a septic installation contractor from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund program.
Fauss also shared some of her own news, showing the award she received from the Ohio Environmental Health Association for 2026 for the Northeast District. Fauss is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist with a Masters in Public Health. The award was for her contributions to the association. In 2024, she was awarded the sanitarian of the year award and in 2025, she received the registered environmental health specialist of the year award.
"You represent us so well," Vice Chairman Dr. Kimberly Jackson said.
In other matters, the board agreed to renew their contract with Medical Mutual for health insurance for employees for next year after Fiscal Officer Karen Clark reported a decrease of 5.74 % in the premiums, with Vins saying this was the best bet for coverage for next year.
Health Services Administrator Amanda Amato reported no measles cases have been reported in Columbiana County, with cases still being reported in the state in other areas. The health district is still offering the MMR vaccine to people who qualify. Anyone wanting the vaccine should call the department to make an appointment.
She also reminded the board about upcoming flu clinics. The drive-thru clinic was held Friday by appointment only. Walk-in flu vaccine clinics will be held Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Salineville Kiwanis Club, 100 North Alley, Salineville and from 1 to 3 p.m. at St. Carlo Acutis Parish, St. Jude Church, 180 Seventh Street, Columbiana. No appointments are necessary.
Vins gave an update on accreditation and a new updated brochure for the district. The board approved a resolution authorizing the creation of a capital improvement fund which was requested by the state auditor, with Vins explaining the district needs to have a fund like this in place in case something would happen to fixed assets. The district can take money from the general fund and unrestricted revenue to place in the capital improvement fund.
"I think it's responsible government management," Vins said.
Board Chairman Gary Dailey said they'll need to look at what they can afford to put in there on a monthly basis. Vins said they can always look at the end of the year to see how things shook out and then put in a lump sum. Clark said they could also do it quarterly. Board member Dave Rose didn't like the fact that the interest raised goes to the county and not to the health district, but it was explained that's how the accounting works.
Fauss reported on the success of the district's recent free scrap tire event, which was funded through a mosquito grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, with 1,951 tires collected. She estimated 30% came from the southeast part of the county and 20% from Salem specifically. Considering the cost to properly dispose of a tire is $3 to $7 per tire, that equated to a savings of $5,853 to $13,657 for area residents.
The board also approved a variance for the installation of a new water well for Ehrhart Wheeler Properties LLC for a North Street, Beloit property due to distance requirements not being met, approved an agreement with Charles E. Harris & Associations for the annual financial statement agreement for three years, with the cost $2,200 for 2026, extended an agreement with Great Lakes Community Action to qualify people for the WPCLF grant program and noted the request for bids for the next round of WPCLF grant are due by Nov. 10.
The December board meeting will be held earlier in the month on Dec. 9. The next meeting of the board will be 4:30 p.m. Nov. 18.