File #: 23-592    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Public Hearing Item Status: Passed
File created: 6/30/2023 In control: City Council/Public Finance and Economic Development Authority/Parking Authority
On agenda: 8/7/2023 Final action: 8/7/2023
Title: SUBJECT: Public Hearing - Merced Fire Department Master Fee Schedule REPORT IN BRIEF Public Hearing to hear comments and adopt a resolution updating the Merced Fire Department's Master Fee Schedule. RECOMMENDATION City Council - Adopt Resolution 2023-64, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, Adopting the Fire Department's Master Fee Schedule to Adjust Existing Fees for Inflation and to Include Fees for Emergency Medical Services.
Attachments: 1. Matrix of Current Master Fee Schedule vs. Proposed Master Fee Schedule, 2. Master Fee Schedule - Final.pdf, 3. NBS Fee Study FINAL 2016 16-211.pdf, 4. Merced First Responder Fee Study FINAL.pdf, 5. Fee Schedule 23-592_080723.pdf, 6. Resolution 2023-64 – Fire Department Fees, 7. MFD EMS Compassion Waiver Policy_DRAFT_041523.pdf
Report Prepared by: Derek Parker, Fire Chief, Fire Department

Title
SUBJECT: Public Hearing - Merced Fire Department Master Fee Schedule

REPORT IN BRIEF
Public Hearing to hear comments and adopt a resolution updating the Merced Fire Department's Master Fee Schedule.

RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt Resolution 2023-64, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, Adopting the Fire Department's Master Fee Schedule to Adjust Existing Fees for Inflation and to Include Fees for Emergency Medical Services.

Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by staff; or,
3. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
4. Continue item to a Future Council meeting; or,
5. Deny the request.

AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 412. Adoption of ordinances and resolutions.
California Government Code Sections 66014, 66016
California Health and Safety Code Section 19132-19132.3

CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Public Safety, as provided for in the 2023/24 Adopted Budget.

DISCUSSION
History

The California Constitution grants cities the authority to establish fees to recover the cost of providing services. Previous City Council's (1998) direction was to ensure that existing fees were calibrated to the cost of providing services. On December 16, 2013, City Council approved Resolution No. 2013-52, which continued the current fire prevention fees until a Fee Study Analysis could be conducted and a subsequent resolution could be adopted modifying those fees. In 2013, the Fire Department contracted with a third party, NBS, to conduct a Comprehensive User Fee Study to evaluate and identify the actual cost of providing fee-related services and to recommend recovery levels for each fee. NBS developed a defensible methodology for calculating fees for service and considered the extent to which the City properly recognizes fees for service revenue in accordance with various state laws s...

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