Commissioners approve hike in sheriff's fees

EPHRATA — The Grant County Commission unanimously voted on Monday to raise fees the sheriff charges to fingerprint people as well as to serve warrants, subpoenas, and a number of other legal documents.

“We’ve not increased these fees since 2012,” said Undersheriff Dave Ponozzo. “We were looking to increase these fees to reflect actual costs.”

The Sheriff’s Department will now charge $20 for fingerprinting — double the previous fingerprinting fee of $10 — to reflect the need to constantly upgrade both the software and hardware of its fingerprinting system.

“It’s a pretty hefty fee to upgrade software and equipment for fingerprinting,” Ponozzo said.

“I don’t see anything here that’s too onerous,” said Commissioner Richard Stevens.

Most fees won’t increase as dramatically as those for fingerprinting, rising anywhere from $1-$5. For example, the fee to serve notice of a civil filing has risen $3 to $28, while the notary fee for civil filings has risen $5 to $15, and mileage rates for the sheriff’s department to serve someone have risen 5 cents per mile to 60 cents.

According to the new fee schedule, there is a $15 minimum to any mileage charged.

Writs of attachment — notices to seize either personal or real property — have risen $5 to $65, while the fees to execute the sale of seized personal or real property have risen $5 to $65 as well.

For a complete fee schedule, contact the Grant County Sheriff’s Department at 509-754-2011 extension 2001, or the civil division page of the website, which should post the new fees shortly.

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached via email at countygvt@columbiabasinherald.com.