Council discusses public safety fee assistance after first year of collections; staff to return with options

The Monmouth City Council held a work session on June 17 to review the public safety fee and the small assistance program funded by a 40¢ portion of the fee.

Michelle (city staff) reported that the public safety fee — established by resolution 19-97 on Aug. 20, 2024 — is $10.25 per account. As of May 31 the fee had generated $336,573 in total revenue since collections began on Oct. 31, 2024. Of the fee, 40¢ per account is directed to a public-safety‑fee assistance program administered by Polk County Family & Community Outreach (Polk FCO); staff reported $11,948 has accrued in the assistance account.

Staff told council that Polk FCO reported having used a small amount of the assistance balance to offset the charge for residents: "Of that, $256 has been used by Polk FCO to assist 25 families, with their public safety fee," the staff summary says (Polk FCO also described its general approach to assistance and casework during a June 3 presentation to council). Polk FCO told councilors that clients needing help commonly present with an overall utility balance and that the agency tends to apply the city’s utility assistance and the public‑safety assistance where appropriate.

Staff outlined three alternatives for council consideration: (1) reduce the public‑safety assistance portion from 40¢ to 2¢ (matching demonstrated use), (2) allow the 40¢ to be used for broader utility assistance (requiring a resolution change), or (3) eliminate the assistance portion entirely. Councilors expressed differing views: some said the fee functions as a regressive flat charge and favored keeping a robust assistance program; others suggested trimming the assistance portion now and monitoring demand. Several councilors asked staff for more data on Polk FCO administration costs and on community need before making a permanent change.

Council provided direction to staff to return with options and additional information (including comparative figures and administrative cost implications) for further action at a future meeting; no formal council action was taken at the June 17 session.