A City Council committee recently discussed the possibility of imposing new fees or increasing fees for city services, but most councilmembers were cool to the idea.
In a report submitted at the March 28 meeting, Andrea Tevlin, the council’s independent budget analyst, suggested 12 ways the city could institute new fees for services or increases on current services. The report included surcharges for 911 calls, paramedic services and parking meter cards. Other ideas included a $12 fee to replace an automated refuse container, a charge to increase boat launches for non-city residents, increased fees for storm drains, charging businesses who are not operating with a business license and increasing fees upon business improvement districts.
“These are probably not feasible for 2008, but perhaps in 2009,” Tevlin said. “More research is needed.”
“It’s something that should be kept on the table. We want to get the discussion started,” she said.
No one on the Budget and Finance Committee favored tinkering with paramedics or 911 calls.
“How would you collect that?” asked Councilman Kevin Faulconer, who added that some people might not call for an ambulance or 911 if they were going to pay a fee to do it.
“Some of these do more harm than good,” said Councilman Donna Frye. “We aggravate more people. We need a legal opinion.”
“Most of these fees are nuisance fees,” said Councilman Jim Madaffer. “It doesn’t do a lot of good to nickel-and-dime the public.”
“We know we’re underfunded. Clearly there are things we need to refer to the city attorney,” said Councilman Toni Atkins.
Tevlin also suggested the city step up its collections on past due fees already owed to by residents.
Everyone on the committee favored charging residents for a new automated trash container, which would cost $12. Frye said that charge was not unreasonable.
Jay Goldstone, the city’s chief financial officer, said no new fees or increased fees are part of the fiscal 2008 budget to be presented to the City Council in April.