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Resolution accepting the Comprehensive Citywide Fee Study and adopting the proposed changes to and fees in the City of South San Francisco Master Fee Schedule for FY 2023-24.
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WHEREAS, the City last underwent a comprehensive Cost Allocation Plan and User Fee study in Fiscal Year 2016-17. An interim update was scheduled for 2020, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic this study was placed on hold.
WHEREAS, under best management practices, the fee study should be re-examined and updated every three to five years and apply the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the intervening years; and
WHEREAS, on October 7, 2022, the City released a Request for Proposal for comprehensive user fee study, cost allocation plan and impact fee study. We received three qualified responses; and
WHEREAS, the review committee selected Matrix Consulting Group based on their extensive experience with other Bay Area cities providing similar services, familiarity with the City, and competitive fee quote; and
WHEREAS, a qualified and experienced professional services firm, Matrix Consulting Group, has conducted a study of the City’s user fees in compliance with Proposition 218 and Proposition 26 (the “Fee Study”); and
WHEREAS, a copy of the Fee Study is on file with the City Clerk and is attached to the Staff Report; and
WHEREAS, the Fee Study determined that the City is only recovering a portion of its annual costs to provide the services for which it charges user fees; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends modifications to the Master Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2023-24, as set forth in Exhibit A to this Resolution; and
WHEREAS, all of the fees contained in the Master Fee Schedule are equal to or less than the estimated reasonable costs to the City of providing the subject services, as required by Article XIIIC and XIIID of the California Constitution; and
WHEREAS, some of the fees contained in the Master Fee Schedule are fees or charges upon a development project, as set forth in Government Code section 66017; and
WHEREAS, the Economic and Community Development Department - Planning Division restructured planning fees to include Planning, Engineering, and City Attorney time, resulting in the applicant paying a single fee; and
WHEREAS, the Economic and Community Development Department - Building Division streamlined the current fee schedule by expanding valuation-based fees for single-family residential, commercial, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits; and
WHEREAS, the Economic and Community Development Department - Building Division established a policy and standards regarding refunds of Building Permit, Plan Review, and Permit Processing Fees; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of South San Francisco does hereby accept the Comprehensive Citywide Fee Study and approve the FY 2023-24 Master Fee Schedule, except for the fees for the Parks and Recreation Department, which shall remain the unchanged.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that those revisions to Master Fee Schedule for the fees that are fees or charges upon a development project, as set forth in Government Code section 66017 shall go into effect 60 days after adoption of this Resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all other revisions to Master Fee Schedule that are not fees or charges upon a development project, as set forth in Government Code section 66017, shall go into effect immediately upon adoption of this Resolution.
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