9.
City Council Work Session (Amended)
- Meeting Date:
- 05/12/2020
- From:
- Neil Chapman, Forest Health Supervisor
- Department:
- Fire Department
Co-Submitter:
Nicole Antonopoulos
TITLE:
Consideration of the Environmental Management Fee restructure and Water Resource & Infrastructure Protection Fee.
DESIRED OUTCOME:
Approval to bring back two ordinances on June 2, 2020 which will move forward with the Environmental Management Fee restructure and implementation of a Water Resource & Infrastructure Protection Fee.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Environmental Management Fee restructure and the Water Resource & Infrastructure Protection initiative are being presented to City Council as one item. This is a combined effort between Management Services, Water Services, Sustainability, Fire, and the City Attorney's Office.
The Environmental Management Fee restructure is intended to distribute the fee more equitably among City municipal service customers. Staff are recommending restructuring the current $4.00 monthly fee per municipal services bill to a model that assesses $0.035 fee per amount billed for water, wastewater, reclaimed water, stormwater, trash and recycling services (“core services”). The proposed model is intended to keep Environmental Management Fund revenues about the same. Some customers will see a fee decrease, and some will see a fee increase because the fee will now be tied to consumption. If approved, it will result in greater equity in terms of paying a fair share of the cost of environmental and natural resource management.
The Water Resource & Infrastructure Protection fee will establish a sustainable and stable watershed management funding source to be managed by the Wildland Fire Management program. The Water Resource & Infrastructure Protection Fee will be assessed based on water consumption billed monthly. Staff is providing two options to Council for consideration - one option is the primary option to fund the work program, the second option is to fund the program and strategic wildfire risk reduction projects in the Upper Lake Mary watershed.
The Environmental Management Fee restructure is intended to distribute the fee more equitably among City municipal service customers. Staff are recommending restructuring the current $4.00 monthly fee per municipal services bill to a model that assesses $0.035 fee per amount billed for water, wastewater, reclaimed water, stormwater, trash and recycling services (“core services”). The proposed model is intended to keep Environmental Management Fund revenues about the same. Some customers will see a fee decrease, and some will see a fee increase because the fee will now be tied to consumption. If approved, it will result in greater equity in terms of paying a fair share of the cost of environmental and natural resource management.
The Water Resource & Infrastructure Protection fee will establish a sustainable and stable watershed management funding source to be managed by the Wildland Fire Management program. The Water Resource & Infrastructure Protection Fee will be assessed based on water consumption billed monthly. Staff is providing two options to Council for consideration - one option is the primary option to fund the work program, the second option is to fund the program and strategic wildfire risk reduction projects in the Upper Lake Mary watershed.
INFORMATION:
Information
At the February Budget Retreat, Council gave direction to bring forward a fee related to restructuring of the Environmental Management Fee and a new fee for Water Resource and Infrastructure Protection. On April 17, 2020 staff posted a 60-day website notice which included the two attached financial analysis reports. A public hearing will be held prior to any Council approval of the fees.
Policy Impact
If approved the restructured Environmental Management Fee and the Water Resource & Infrastructure Protection initiative would:
Environmental Management Fee:
The intent for restructuring the fee is rooted in equitable distribution. This fee restructure is intended to provide resources, educate, and mitigate impacts at each municipal service address in an equitable manner.
Water Resource & Infrastructure Protection:
The City’s Wildland Fire Management Division is the only area fire management resource that reports to City leadership and is responsible for implementing Council directives.
At the February Budget Retreat, Council gave direction to bring forward a fee related to restructuring of the Environmental Management Fee and a new fee for Water Resource and Infrastructure Protection. On April 17, 2020 staff posted a 60-day website notice which included the two attached financial analysis reports. A public hearing will be held prior to any Council approval of the fees.
Policy Impact
If approved the restructured Environmental Management Fee and the Water Resource & Infrastructure Protection initiative would:
- Adhere to the Regional Plan (2013)
- Advance the Climate Adaptation and Action Plan (2018)
- Advance the Greater Flagstaff Community Wildfire Protection Plan (2005/2018)
- Adhere to the Wildland-Urban Interface Code (2008).
Environmental Management Fee:
The intent for restructuring the fee is rooted in equitable distribution. This fee restructure is intended to provide resources, educate, and mitigate impacts at each municipal service address in an equitable manner.
Water Resource & Infrastructure Protection:
The City’s Wildland Fire Management Division is the only area fire management resource that reports to City leadership and is responsible for implementing Council directives.