Memorandum 15-175 Amendments to the Fee Schedule

Memorandum 15-175

TO:                       MAYOR WYTHE AND HOMER CITY COUNCIL

FROM:                  JO JOHNSON, MMC, CITY CLERK

DATE:                   OCTOBER 20, 2015

SUBJECT:           AMENDMENTS TO THE FEE SCHEDULE

Each year the City’s Departments review the Fee Schedule and submit requested changes. This annual review is done in an effort to recover costs for City services. Many of the increases are due to increased costs of supplies and services. Other increases are to bring our rates comparable to other communities on the Peninsula.

Library increases for temporary cards more accurately compensates Library and City staff for the paperwork involved in refunding a portion of the fee, as well as a mechanism to help support library service to non-residents. Keeping the limited card fee low allows access to library materials to those non-residents in need of library materials but on limited incomes.

The increase in interlibrary loans more closely reflects the actual cost of postage for mailing books. The Library cannot and does not charge for interlibrary loan service, just the postage. The final bill notice increase helps cover the costs of paper, ink, postage, and staff time for mailing notices on delinquent accounts. This applies to a third and final notice. The increase in the overdue charge per item is to discourage patrons from keeping items beyond their maximum renewal period, which then prevents other patrons from using the items. This is a problem, particularly in the summer.

The Library’s reduced price on color copies is a result of significantly lower operating costs of the new copy machine. That savings should be passed on to patrons and make the service more affordable.

Camping fees for tents are increased from $8 to $10 per night to more closely mirror other communities’ rates around the Peninsula. Alaska State Park sites are $12 - $15 per site and some campgrounds charge $20 per site.

R.V. dump fees are increased from $2 to $5 to more accurately reflect the rates of similar communities on the Peninsula. Other cities charge up to $15 per dump.

Cemetery plots are increased significantly due to the cost of purchasing land to expand Hickerson Memorial Cemetery and to provide access and plating for 700 plots on the newly acquired land.

Fire Department fees for basic life and advanced life support fees are increased, along with non-emergency transport and mileage fees. These increases are due to the escalating costs of supplies and services. These increases are based on the latest Ambulance Service Fee Schedules collected by the Alaska Fire Chiefs Association.

Recommendation:  Approve the amendments to the Fee Schedule upon adoption of Resolution 15-097 at the December 7, 2015 council meeting.

Fiscal Note: Revenue amounts not defined in CY2016 budget.