Council Adopts New Fee Increases for City Services

In the hopes of increasing annual revenue by approximately $250,000, the San Rafael City Council approved a new master fee schedule that raises some charges for city services on Aug. 1.

In the past two years, more city services haven’t been able to cover their costs. City staff estimate an annual revenue increase of between $200,000 to $300,000 due to the fee hikes. The majority of the fee increases range from 10 to 12 percent, Interim Finance Director Janet Pendoley said.

“We are trying to balance the best interests of the business community and the residents with the need for the city to recover costs for these services,” Pendoley said.

Some services, such as recreation, historically have never been able to cover costs.  “[Recreation] has increased their fees approximately 5 percent a year, but they are below 100 percent of cost recovery,” Pendoley said.

Fire service fee increases are restricted to 10 percent and public works to 25 percent, and will be phased in over time. Many planning service fees went up between 5 and 10 percent.

Casey Mazzoni, with the Marin Builders Association, urged the Council to place a one year moratorium on fee increases due to the economic strain many builders are experiencing.

“We see more and more property owners simply not obtaining the proper permits because the costs are too high and the process is tedious,” she said.

Parking service charges will be on the next City Council agenda, according to Assistant City Manager Jim Schutz.