TITLE
Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the public hearing, and adopt resolution amending the Master Fee and Charges Schedule. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested for the list of proposed Mid-Year Fee Adjustments for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY 20), which describes the proposed changes to the City's Master Fee and Charges Schedule. As part of the annual Budget Adoption process, the City Council last reviewed and amended the Master Fee and Charges Schedule for specified City services on September 3, 2019. Fees are required to cover the cost of service except where the City Council finds there is a greater public benefit through use of a lower fee. On September 5, 2017, the City Council adopted an amended Financial Policy on User Fees and Charges, which reads:
User Fees and Charges Will be Set at the Cost of the Service
Background - Fees and associated charges are associated with recovering the cost of providing a service. The City can charge up to the full cost of providing a service.
Policy -
a. Fees will be set at a level to fully recover costs, except where there is a greater public benefit through use of a lower fee, such as where full recovery may adversely impact overall revenue or may discourage participation in programs where the participation benefits the overall community.
b. The City Manager will establish a process for in-depth review of all fees over time. The review, while eventually covering all fees, should emphasize those that have or may have significant subvention (may not be at full cost).
City staff may recommend fees that are not set at the full cost of service, or City Council may choose not to adopt a fee with full cost-recovery, because it would negatively impact the public good. Certain new fees are being introduced to address the demand for City services. Charging a fee allows residents the benefit of a service that may otherwise not be possible without sufficient revenue ...
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