During the recent Sunnyvale Town Council meeting, a significant discussion centered on proposed changes to the town's fee schedule, aimed at ensuring compliance with state laws and improving cost recovery for services. Town officials, led by a representative from Willdan, presented findings from a comprehensive fee study that highlighted the need for adjustments across various service fees.

The study revealed that the town has been subsidizing approximately 41% of service costs, indicating a need to increase certain fees to better align with actual expenses. As a result, the council proposed lowering one fee, increasing four others, and introducing two new fees. Notably, the fee for research and copies will rise from $25 to $30, while the cost for mailing labels will increase from $75 to $80, reflecting the actual costs incurred by the town.

These adjustments are expected to reduce the subsidy level to around 31%, allowing the town to recover more of the costs associated with providing services. The council emphasized that the goal is to ensure that those who benefit from services contribute fairly to their costs, while still maintaining a level of subsidy for community support.

The meeting also touched on the absence of a large event park deposit, indicating further areas for potential fee structure improvements. As the council moves forward with these changes, residents can anticipate a more balanced approach to service fees that aligns with the town's financial sustainability goals.