Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: September 4, 2025 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-f <br /> SUBJECT: Approval of Health Department Fee Change <br /> DEPARTMENT: Health Department <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Attachment 1. Proposed New Fee Quintana Stewart, 919-245-2412 <br /> Adjustment — Operation Frederick Perschau, 919-245-2414 <br /> Permit Revision/Renewal <br /> PURPOSE: To approve a new fee adjustment to the Environmental Health fee schedule as <br /> recommended/approved by the Orange County Board of Health, and amend the FY 2025-26 <br /> County Fee Schedule. <br /> BACKGROUND: The Environmental Health Division requests to adjust a new fee, previously <br /> approved for FY 2025-26. The re-issuance of a septic system's Operation Permit is required <br /> when the system type has complex inspection elements and is required to be re-permitted once <br /> every five years (Type V & VI systems). The fee adjustment from $0 to $500 is requested for cost <br /> recovery of staff training and time. <br /> Health Equity Impact <br /> This proposed adjusted fee will be assessed on systems of the greatest size and complexity in <br /> the Orange County community. The construction of these systems is engineered and is much <br /> more expensive than conventional or accepted system types, having application for larger <br /> footprint single family homes, multiple family homes sharing a system, and commercial parcels. <br /> Type V systems (such as sand filters and aerobic treatment units) and Type VI systems (larger <br /> mechanical pretreatment and wastewater reuse/recycling systems) are complex wastewater <br /> treatment systems that require specialized oversight to ensure the systems continue operating <br /> safely. State rules mandate that their operation permits be renewed every five (5) years, which <br /> necessitates Health Department inspections to verify compliance, protect public health, and <br /> safeguard the environment. There are currently approximately eighty (80) Type V systems in <br /> Orange County. There are no Type VI systems currently in use in Orange County. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: Staff projects additional revenue of $44,000 from this one (1) new fee in <br /> FY 2025-26. After the first year the anticipated annual revenues will be at approximately 20% of <br /> this level each year during the ensuing five (5) years depending on system necessity and priority <br /> for re-inspection. At the end of this initial five-year `catch-up' period, staff expects all of the <br /> systems to be on the same five-year re-inspection schedule. <br />