TITLE
Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the public hearing and adopt six resolutions to increase fees for Planning, Health, Fire, Police, and Community Development to improve recovery of the City's costs to provide these services.
(Citywide)
A resolution amending the surcharge to finance the Development Services Center computer system replacement and on-going annual maintenance costs of the City of Long Beach.
DISCUSSION
On June 1, 2004, City Council approved an agreement with Public Resource Management (PRM) to undertake a Citywide Fee Study. This effort was in response to a recommendation of the Budget Oversight Committee to more fully investigate fees to determine if the City was fully recovering the cost of services through fees and charges, and how our fees compared to other jurisdictions. The Fee Study is being conducted to document the City's costs to provide fee-related services. While the Fee Study progresses, staff felt it was important to bring initial recommendations to the City Council
as quickly as possible to address the structural deficit. Additional fee changes will be presented as part of the Fiscal Year 2006 proposed budget and in the fall as the study is
completed. Seven departments were selected to participate in the Fee Study including: the departments of Planning and Building, Health and Human Services, Fire, Parks, Recreation and Marine, .Public Works, Police, and Community Development. These areas were specifically chosen because PRM and City staff believed the services provided by these departments might be, the most heavily subsidized. A major goal of the Fee Study was to establish one methodology for the City to use in computing the cost to provide a service. Using this methodology, the City can be assured that its fees fairly assess the cost of providing services and that the fee setting
process is consistent. The recommended methodology, which has been broadly accepted in the public s...
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