Agenda No. 9.
CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
| City Council Meeting: | September 7, 2021 |
| Department: | Finance |
| Subject: | Ordinance No. 21-M-40 - Consideration and/or action to approve an Ordinance by the City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas amending the City of Schertz Code of Ordinances and certain other Ordinances by amending and establishing fees for certain licenses, permits, and other services provided by the City of Schertz. First Reading (M. Browne/B. James/J. Walters) |
BACKGROUND
City Departments collect a wide variety of fees for permits, services, fines and other charges that are all part of everyday operations of municipal government. Since September 2008, the fees have been incorporated into a single fee schedule. Ordinance 08-M-43 established the consolidated fee schedule and allows for the modification of existing fees to be done by resolution while new fees are established or added to the Fee Schedule by ordinance.
The Fee Schedule ordinance provides a single document with all City fees that directly affect the users. The changes to the fees ensure the continued operation of public utilities, provides for essential services to the community and to adequately maintain the investment in existing infrastructure. All changes to the fee schedule will have a 45-day period before the new fees take effect. This allows staff to update and advise citizens on the upcoming changes. The recommended effective date of these fee changes will be November 1, 2021.
Fees will be broken down into Adult and Child for the Daddy/Daughter and Mother/Son dances. The couple price overall will remain the same but additional adult tickets will increase by $6.
Kickball entry fees will remove the per team costs but increase the individual fee. Overall effect should simplify the entry fees while still covering the City's costs.
Cornhold League entry will be reduced from $40 to $25 to match staff costs.
The schedule will be modified to clarify the Holidazzle parade entry fee of $15 is only for businesses - others are free.
New Fees include Indoor Vollyball registration, New Year's Masquerade Food Vendor registration, and renting of equipment for use in the pavailion. The equipment includes spike ball, basketballs, and pickle ball nets.
Fire permits will lower the Flammable or Combustable liquid tank review and permit fee from $150 to $25. The state has taken over review and regulation of these tanks lowering the staff time required for the permit.
Fire plan review will be increased to $75 from $50 and remove the after hours upcharge, to match staff costs in reviewing plans.
Inspections will remove the miscallaneous review fees included in the fee schedule. Staff has not had to charge for these in 5 years so it will not affect revenue.
Water and Sewer rate changed as approved by council on July 27, 2021 will be included in the Fee Schedule.
The Fee Schedule ordinance provides a single document with all City fees that directly affect the users. The changes to the fees ensure the continued operation of public utilities, provides for essential services to the community and to adequately maintain the investment in existing infrastructure. All changes to the fee schedule will have a 45-day period before the new fees take effect. This allows staff to update and advise citizens on the upcoming changes. The recommended effective date of these fee changes will be November 1, 2021.
Fees will be broken down into Adult and Child for the Daddy/Daughter and Mother/Son dances. The couple price overall will remain the same but additional adult tickets will increase by $6.
Kickball entry fees will remove the per team costs but increase the individual fee. Overall effect should simplify the entry fees while still covering the City's costs.
Cornhold League entry will be reduced from $40 to $25 to match staff costs.
The schedule will be modified to clarify the Holidazzle parade entry fee of $15 is only for businesses - others are free.
New Fees include Indoor Vollyball registration, New Year's Masquerade Food Vendor registration, and renting of equipment for use in the pavailion. The equipment includes spike ball, basketballs, and pickle ball nets.
Fire permits will lower the Flammable or Combustable liquid tank review and permit fee from $150 to $25. The state has taken over review and regulation of these tanks lowering the staff time required for the permit.
Fire plan review will be increased to $75 from $50 and remove the after hours upcharge, to match staff costs in reviewing plans.
Inspections will remove the miscallaneous review fees included in the fee schedule. Staff has not had to charge for these in 5 years so it will not affect revenue.
Water and Sewer rate changed as approved by council on July 27, 2021 will be included in the Fee Schedule.
GOAL
To update the Adopted Fee Schedule for FY 2021-22.
COMMUNITY BENEFIT
Provide a single place for information on City fees.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTION
Staff recommends council approve the proposed changes to the fees schedule.
FISCAL IMPACT
The fee changes will all affect the General Fund but have a low overall fiscal impact due to the narrow scope of their estimated use but are intended as cost recovery of providing the described services.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Ordinance 21-M-40 and updated fees for FY 2021-22