Police fee-schedule update continued after packet lacked fee table

Chief Maciel told the council that the city's master fee schedule has not been updated for the police department since 2008 and that rising costs (inflation, salaries, benefits, regulatory requirements) now make many fees out of date. Staff proposed using current salary schedules and time estimates to set billable rates and introduced potential new fees including ABC license reviews, commercial and residential burglary alarm renewals, notary services, and bingo permits.

"The proposed fees are intended to improve equity by ensuring users of fee-supported services contribute appropriately to their costs," Chief Maciel said, noting staff surveyed surrounding jurisdictions to benchmark rates. Because the publicly posted PDF in the packet did not include the fee amounts, the council opened the public hearing for item 11.1 but voted to continue the hearing to the next meeting to allow fee tables to be available for public review.

Chief Maciel said the updated fees aim to recover reasonable costs and are not intended to create excess revenue; staff estimated a modest general fund revenue increase but not a material impact on the adopted fiscal-year budget. The council scheduled further review when the fee schedule and attachments are posted with the meeting packet.