|
in western South Dakota.
• The Brand Board wants to increase the fee by 10 cents a head, or half the amount it approved earlier. The panel will make a final decision after holding a public hearing next month.
• The board voted in March to increase the fee to $1. But the panel scrapped that hike after Gov. Dennis Daugaard urged the board to try to find a compromise after livestock groups and other associations objected.
• The board's latest plan raises the inspection fee to 90 cents. If it's approved, the higher rate could take effect by Sept. 1.
• Board members said the increase is needed to cover higher inspection costs associated with rising fuel prices and salaries.
• Board member Curt Mortenson of Fort Pierre said a 90-cent fee balances the program's books for about two years. But Mortenson said he won't hesitate to try to raise the price once more if the program becomes more expensive in the future.
• "I don't want to start running this thing into the ground," Mortensen said.
(Continued on page 25)
|
|
