COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE - R. ESPINOSA

1. Public Hearing continued from the August 7, 2018 meeting.
2. Waive reading of an Ordinance Amending Certain Sections of the San Benito County Code, to Adopt the "San Benito County Master Fee Schedule", and to Adopt Increases and Reductions in Certain County Fees. 
3. Adopt Ordinance, the "San Benito County Master Fee Schedule Ordinance".

SBC FILE NUMBER: 425

ORDINANCE NO: 972

On July 24, 2018 Willdan Consultant presented the County-wide Fee study that had occurred over the duration of a year. Staff evaluated the most effective process to update and incorporate their recommendations, as some fees were established by ordinance and others by resolution. Evaluating the process for updating fees, staff looked internally and externally, assessing the historic method of updating fees in San Benito County and looking at methods used by other Counties to find the most efficient process used throughout California. Staff found that roughly 30% of Counties have incorporated a Master Fee Schedule.   

In accordance with your Board’s direction to update the fees to recover cost, staff has been engaged in the development of a Master Fee Schedule to provide the public with a convenient and transparent single source that reflects all County service fees. In order to adopt a Master Fee Schedule, it is necessary to first establish the corresponding authority and procedures. Consequently, presented for your consideration is an Ordinance which authorizes your Board to adopt a Master Fee Schedule and to make subsequent adjustments thereto.

Once adopted, the intent is to update the Master Fee Schedule annually as part of the budget process and other times as needed. The proposed Ordinance also provides for automatic adjustment of state and federal fees when, in those rare occasions, it is necessary to timely apply adjustments in order to maintain compliance with said laws. The approach envisioned by the attached Ordinance will not only provide a user-friendly document for the public but will also streamline the process of adjusting fees.

Staff recommends the Board:

1. Continued the public hearing from August 7, 2018, regarding the proposed Ordinance;
2. Waive the reading of an Ordinance Amending Certain Sections of the San Benito County Code, to Adopt the "San Benito County Master Fee Schedule", and to Adopt Increases and Reductions in Certain County Fees; and
3. Adopt Ordinance, the "San Benito County Master Fee Schedule Ordinance".