Wahkiakum officials this week agreed to reinforce the county health department's environmental health specialist position.

County commissioners reduced the position to one day a week in late 2008 as part of budget cuts to meet a revenue shortfall.

On Tuesday, they agreed it's probably time to add more time to the position.

Health and Human Services Director Judy Bright told Commissioners Blair Brady, Dan Cothren and Lisa Marsyla it's time to consider raising food permit fees and increase the health officer's hours.

The fee for a small community event is only $5.

"We're seeing articles in the newspaper about large events with food and no food permit applications at all," she said. "It's simply unsafe without any idea of what's going on with public food events."

Thousands of people become ill from poor hygiene at public events every year across the nation, she said; there are around 5,000 deaths a year.

"We have had outbreaks in this county."

Part of the problem is that the environmental health officer who has done food permits also has to work on septic system permits, and with only one day a week in the county, priorities are strained. If people come in late with an application, it might not be seen till after the event, Bright said.

She said she would recommend a slight increase in the permit fee and a late charge to help cover office expenses.

Commissioners said they would support the effort.

"I'm very supportive if we keep the events in the $5 range," said Commissioner Marsyla. "People should follow the rules. We're trying to be team players."

Commissioner Cothren added that he could support some increase in the health officer position, for he had fielded complaints from contractors unhappy that it takes so long for septic permits to be reviewed in the short-handed office.

Bright said she would send letters to organizations reminding them of food permit rules and try to set up some meetings to explain them.

The commissioners also passed a motion to increase the environmental health position to .8 FTE. Funding for the position is in the department budget.

Cothren and Brady were on the board when the position was reduced. They said they knew it would have to be restored at some point.