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A MOTION approving an action plan related to the 2015/2016 Biennial Budget Ordinance, Ordinance 17941, Section 98, Proviso P1, for changes to the food program permit fee structure.
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WHEREAS, the 2015/2016 Biennial Budget Ordinance, Ordinance 17941, Section 98, Proviso P1, requires the executive to transmit an action plan and motion that approves the action plan for changes to the food program fee structure, and
WHEREAS, the plan includes changes to temporary and farmers market permits that result in lower permit costs and encourage vendor participation while maintaining food safety, and
WHEREAS, the plan considers recommendations from the 2013 county auditor performance audit of environmental health services; the Public Health - Seattle & King County 2014 Food Protection Program Review; and the Public Health - Seattle & King County 2014 Environmental Health Permit Time and Fee Study, and
WHEREAS, the plan incorporates preliminary feedback from food vendor and farmers market and event coordinator stakeholders with the intent to gather feedback as the plan continues to be developed, and
WHEREAS, the plan considers maintenance of health standards that confirm to local, state and federal regulations, and
WHEREAS, the plan considers the reasonableness of inspection requirements across different types of permits, and
WHEREAS, the plan considers cost impacts of permit fees on the permit holders' cost of doing business and potential options to standardize practices to minimize permit holders' cost, and
WHEREAS, the plan includes a review of the number of inspections needed for vendors and coordinators attending multiple events or farmers markets and review of the time needed to conduct an inspection of a vendor who has consistently demonstrated good performance, and
WHEREAS, the executive filed a report with near-term actions on December 12, 2014, and
WHEREAS, as a result of near-term actions, the Food and Facilities hourly rate component of permit fees to be proposed to the board of health for adoption in 2015 is $215, a $5 reduction since the council adopted the 2015-2016 budget; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
The council acknowledges receipt of the action plan related to the 2015/2016 Biennial Budget Ordinance, Ordinance 17941, Section 98, Proviso P1, for changes to the
food program permit fee structure, which is enclosed as Attachment A to this motion. The action plan is hereby approved.