Introduce Ordinance #15-18:  2016 Schedule of Rates, Fees & Charges

Purpose: The city annually adopts a schedule of rates, fees and charges which outlines the fees that the city charges for such items as building construction, business licenses, utility rates, and planning and zoning.  Effective June 30, 1991, Ordinance #91-08 amended S7.01.10 of the City Code to allow the City Council to annually set fees. A listing of the schedule of rates, fees and charges is attached.  The justification for any changes are noted on the far right column of the schedule.  The majority of the changes from 2015 to 2016 are reflective in the Facility Use section, Planning and Zoning section, and in the Utility Rates section.  Under the Facility Use section, the justification of the increases are due to staff time for scheduling the rentals and staff time for maintaining the fields.  The field rate increases were documented at the Joint Meeting held on March 5, 2015 with the City of Ramsey, City of Anoka, Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association (ARAA) and PACT Charter School.  The Planning and Zoning section has added a Grading permit with its fee set at same level as other current planning and zoning permits (example:  Environmental, Interium Use), Park dedication and trail fees for residential units only to reflect the ever growing needs of park projects as outlined in the 2016-2020 CIP.  The utility section has been updated to reflect the following increases:  water rates which are per the 2012 Comprehensive Water Study, water lateral increase for residential and commercial construction based on 2015 actual project costs, sewer increases for residential and commercial accounts to account for the 17.6% increase from the Met Council for 2016 Wastewater charges, sewer lateral increase for residential and commercial accounts based on 2015 actual project costs and a 10% increase in storm water utility rates, to establish funding for upcoming storm water projects in the next few years per the 2016-2020 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).  All of the proposed utility rates are lower than the average 2015 metro rates for like utilities  The 2016 schedule will become effective January 1, 2016.

The Schedule of Rates, Fees and Charges are adopted annually by ordinance.  A public hearing on the ordinance is normally held in November to allow the thirty-day waiting period and have the rates become effective January 1 2016. 

The public hearing notice will be posted noting that the public hearing will be held at the regularly scheduled meeting of November 24, 2015.

-Accept the rates as proposed.

-Hold all rates constant with 2015 rates.

-Recommend changes that arise from input at public hearing.
 

Staff's recommendation is to Introduce Ordinance #15-18:  2016 Schedule of Rates, Fees and Charges as proposed.

Introduce Ordinance #15-18:  2016 Schedule of Rates, Fees and Charges