AGENDA #6d

MEMORANDUM

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

SUBJECT:       User Fee Schedules and Policies

DATE:             June 26, 2000

The attached resolution would approve user fee policies, fee schedules, and facility use policies for various Town services and facilities.  Attached are copies of the proposed policies and fee schedules fro 2000-2001 with a brief discussion of proposed changes by funds.

The proposed changes to fees and policies for 2000-2001 are discussed below.

GENERAL FUND      

For most departments including the Manager, Inspections, Police and Fire Department, we propose no change in fees or policies for 2000-2001. 

For the Parks and Recreation Department, several changes are recommended by staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission as follows:

• The Department reserves the right to give priority registration to Town of Chapel Hill residents over non-Town residents.  We believe such priorities will particularly benefit residents wishing to enroll children in day camps and possibly youth sports only.

• Applications for rentals, fields, pools, and facilities would be accepted at  specific times of the year.

• All annual pool passes would be put on a consistent yearly schedule.

• Rental rates for fields, pools, and gymnasiums would be changed to recover direct costs incurred by the Department.  Tournament rates would also be added.

• Service charge for returned checks would be changed to $25 (this policy was changed for all Town departments this year).

For the Planning Department, the proposed fee schedule reflects increases in development review fees discussed by the Council during budget works sessions, with fees for private, non-profits organizations exempt from ad valorem property taxes at one-half the regular fee.  The additional revenue expected from these increases are incorporated in the recommended budget.

For the Engineering Department, the revised schedule reflects small increases in inspections fees also discussed during budget work sessions.

For the Library, the recommended fines and fees include increases as recommended and approved by the Library Board of Trustees.

For the Public Works Department, we propose an increase in the rates for commercial garbage collection to cover a larger portion of the cost of the commercial collection service.

For the Finance Department, the recommended budget includes a proposed increase in the privilege license fee for businesses not limited by State Schedule B fees.  Since these fees will not be billed until next spring, we are continuing to review the privilege license fees and will make final recommendations fees later this fall.

For all other General Fund departments, there are no proposed changes in existing fees.

In the Transportation and Parking funds, user fees are recommended to remain the same as in the current year.

A RESOLUTION ADOPTING USER FEE POLICIES AND SCHEDULES FOR VARIOUS TOWN DEPARTMENTS (2000-06-26/R-9)

BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby adopts, effective July 1, 2000 the attached user fee policies and schedules as submitted by the Town Manager on June 26, 2000:

Administration - Town Council Agenda Packet Fees

Engineering -

            Inspections Fee Policy

            Municipal Cemetery Fees

Fire Department Permit Fee Policy

Inspections Department -

            Statement of Justification

            Building Permit Fees

            Electrical Permit Fees

            Mechanical and Plumbing Fee Schedules

Library -Schedule of Fines and Fees

Parks and Recreation -

            User Fee Policy

            Request for Fee Reduction Application

Planning - Development Review Fees

Police - Fee Policy

Public Works -

            Field Operations Street Cut Policy

            Sanitation Services Policy and Disposal Fees

Transportation -

            General Users Fee Policy

                        Bus Card Advertising Rates

                        Bus Pass and Ticket Price Schedule - “A” Pass

                        Bus Pass and Ticket Price Schedule - “L” Pass

                        Charter Rates

                        Monthly Rental Parking Rates

                        Municipal Parking Lot Rates

                        Transit Fare Schedule

                        User Fee Refund and Waiver Policy

This the 26^th day of June, 2000.