ESCANABA - A meeting between the Delta County Board of Commissioners and the Delta Conservation District is set for Monday after an Escanaba Township resident voiced concern about permit fees.

The meeting will be held in the State Office Building conference room beginning at 1 p.m.

Linda Trombley Robitaille addressed the commissioners during the Oct. 13 meeting after learning she was in violation after moving topsoil on her property without a permit.

Robitaille noted during the Oct. 13 meeting of the county board she didn't know what she was facing and had started asking questions, especially into how the permit rates were set and who set them.

She told the board she had researched the issue. Through the research she determined the state legislature hadn't set the rate she was quoted, the county had set the rates.

In response to Robitaille's assertions, the Delta Conservation District Board of Directors responded in writing to the county board.

In their written reply, Benny Herioux indicated he was present for the Oct. 13 meeting when the issue was brought to the attention of commissioners.

"The allegations made centered around the fee schedule and accused both the county and the district of non-transparency in regards to notification of the public and a slanderous remark that our executive director was padding his pocket with the resulting permit fees collected," wrote Herioux.

He stated no such thing was occurring, and he was disappointed commissioners did not make it plain the fees were set in consultation with and by the Commission from June through September 2008.

"It is also important to us that Commissioners (Tom) Elegeert and (Dave) Schultz be in attendance, as it was Commissioner Elegeert outlined the process which we followed and Commissioner Schultz was our board appointed representative who attended our monthly meetings throughout the process," wrote Herioux.

During Tuesday's meeting of the county board, Robitaille again addressed the board. "As elected officials by the residents of the county, it is your responsibility to look after the best interests of the residents of this county," said Robitaille.

She asked the board to listen to all the residents of the county which currently are or will be affected by the fee schedules.

Robitaille asked commissioners to consider why residents of Delta County were being asked to pay $450 per acre when residents in Iron County were paying $100 per acre for a land use permit.

Also addressing the board concerning the issue was Kevin Dubord, Escanaba Township supervisor.

Dubord said he had been receiving phone calls from residents within the township and he was unable to provide any answers.

"I would like to inquire when trespassing becomes an issue and how it will be enforced," he said.

Dubord informed the commissioners of a resident who was attempting to construct a new residence.

"They had pushed dirt out of the way and were looking to replace it come spring, when Rory Mattson after informing them they needed a permit for residential use, returned and informed the man he was considering issuing a commercial permit for residential use," said Dubord.

Dubord asked commissioners what he should tell the man who had brought the issue to him.

The issue will be addressed during a joint meeting between the two boards on Nov. 9.