Discussion and possible action on any and all matters regarding adopting a Notice of Intention to adopt new and amend Permits and Application Fees for Development Services and Public Works Departments. (Jose A. Guzman, Director of Development Services and Eulogio Vera, Director of Public Works)

The current permits and application fees for Development Services and Public Works have not been updated to reflect current operations and costs. Therefore, staff is proposing to update the fees for various permits and application procedures for Development Services and Public Works. 

In order for the City Council to consider the updated fees, there must first be a posting and newspaper publishing of the attached Notice of Intent to Increase Permits and Application Fees and the supporting report. The notice informs the public that a public hearing will be held on March 13, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.  If passed by the City Council on March 13, 2024, the new fee schedule would take effect on April 12, 2024 (30 days after approval).  The schedule of the proposed increases and new fees will be available on file with the City Clerk and on the City's website at least 60 days prior to the hearing (January 13, 2024). The notice complies with notice procedures required by Arizona Revised Statutes § 9-499.15.

The fee update is necessary to ensure that the fees we collect are fair, reasonable, and in line with the costs associated with processing permits and applications. The proposed fee adjustments have been considered and are based on several factors, including a comparative analysis with neighboring jurisdictions, the actual staff time spent processing each application, and the increased cost of newspaper notices, which are mandated by state law.