AGENDA #7a(2)

MEMORANDUM

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

FROM:            Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager

                        Kenneth C. Pennoyer, Director of Business Management

SUBJECT:       User Fee Schedules and Policies

DATE:             June 9, 2008

The attached resolution would approve user fee policies, fee schedules, and facility use policies for various Town services and facilities.  Proposed changes for 2008-09 are summarized below.  See Attachment 1 for copies of the proposed policies and fee schedules for each department for 2008-09.

For a few departments, including Engineering, Police, and Fire, we propose no changes in fees or policies for fiscal year 2008-09. Recommended changes for other departments are as discussed below.  Changes are relatively minor in amount and in the number of parties affected. 

Recommended Changes in Communications and Public Affairs Department Fees (Begins on page 5).

• We recommend establishing charges for merchandise as follows:

Town flag 2 x 3” - $35	Pencils – 10 cents
Town flag 5 x 8” - $125	Temporary tattoos – 25 cents
Book: Chapel Hill 200 Years - $7.50	American legacy booklet - $2
Book: A Backward Glance - $5.25	Lapel pins - $2
Caps - $20 each

Recommended Changes in Inspections Fees (Begins on page 9).

• We recommend increasing all inspections fees by 2.9 percent, rounded to the next highest dollar, to index fees (2007 South Urban Consumer Price Index used).

Recommended Changes in Planning Department Fees (Begins on page 16).

• We recommend increasing all review fees by 2.9 percent, rounded to the next highest dollar, to index fees (2007 South Urban Consumer Price Index used).

Recommended Changes in Public Works Department Fees (Begins on page 26).

• We recommend minor changes in the Public Works Department for FY 2008-09.
• We recommend increasing the charge for Yard Waste Containers in the Solid Waste Division from $46 to $47 in FY09 to reflect the increased costs to the Town.

Recommended Changes in Parks & Recreation Department Fees (Begins on page 28).

The Parks and Recreation Commission recommends the following changes in the Parks & Recreation Department for FY09. 

• Swimming annual passes are altered as follows:

ADMISSION AND PASS FEES	CURRENT		PROPOSED
Swimming	Resident	Non-Resident	Resident	Non-Resident
Annual Pass*
Preschooler (5 years and younger)	$43.00	$65.00	$50.00	$75.00
Youth (6 – 18 years)	$85.00	$128.00	$100.00	$150.00
Adult (19 years and over)	$170.00	$255.00	$200.00	$300.00
Family	$340.00	$510.00	$430.00	$600.00
Additional Family Member	$50.00	$75.00	$60.00	$90.00

• Additional staff fee for hourly rental of facilities is increased from either $8 or $9 (previously depending on the facility) to $15.
• Resident includes Chapel Hill and Orange County.

Recommended Changes in Library Fees (Begins on page 31).

The Library Board recommends eliminating the $1 fee for adult reserves.

Recommended Changes in Transit Fees (Begins on page 36).

• We recommend a revision in many fees and policies in the Transit Fund.  Please see the proposed fee schedule for the complete fee and policy proposal.

RECOMMENDATION

That the Council adopt the attached resolution establishing the 2008-09 user fee policy.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Proposed policies and fee schedules for Each Department for 2008-09 (81 KB pdf) (p. 5).