Heard County approves $250 initial commercial pool permit fee; $150 annual inspection fee deferred

Heard County commissioners on Jan. 24 considered a request from the county health department to set commercial pool permit fees after Rockridge Baptist Assembly sought pool repairs. Chairman Lee Boone explained the health department had no existing commercial pool fee schedule and proposed an initial commercial permit fee of $250 and an annual inspection fee of $150.

Commissioners Frank Crook and Sandi Allen expressed concern the proposed fees might be too high and the chair said he would raise the issue with the Heard County Board of Health at its Feb. 14 meeting. During public comment, resident Mike Crockett urged the board to proceed and said he would pay the $250 fee for Rockridge so the pool company could start repairs in time for summer business.

Commissioner Jacob Cammon moved, with Commissioner Larry Hooks seconding, to reconsider the fee item; that motion passed 3 to 2. Commissioner Gwen Caldwell then moved, seconded by Commissioner Frank Crook, to approve a $250 initial commercial permit fee but not to adopt the $150 annual inspection fee. The board unanimously approved Caldwell’s motion. Chairman Boone said he would report back on the annual inspection fee at the next meeting.

The action allows Rockridge’s pool contractor to begin evaluation and repairs after the county issues the initial permit; the board did not adopt an annual inspection fee during this meeting.