Duval drafts three-tier film permit fees; council to consider adding policy to consent agenda

City staff returned to the Duval City Council with edits to a proposed film‑permit policy that adds a three‑level sliding fee schedule intended to match permit costs to project impact. John McArthur, city clerk, said staff incorporated council feedback from an earlier meeting and proposed defined categories for low‑impact, moderate‑impact and high‑impact filming with associated permit fees.

"We adopted sort of 3, 3 levels, low impact filming, moderate, and high impact filming," McArthur said, describing the revised fee schedule and definitions added to the policy. He told council the fee structure in the proposed policy was modeled on the City of Kirkland's schedule.

Council members responded positively in general. Councilmember McHenry said the tiered structure made more sense than a single budget threshold and could encourage lower‑budget filmmakers to use city locations. Councilmember Schaeffer said the lower fee tier would "encourage that type" of production.

Next steps McArthur asked whether council wanted further edits or to place the policy on a future consent agenda. With no additional substantive edits, staff asked to add the item to the consent agenda for formal adoption at the next meeting; one council member moved to approve the policy that evening but staff noted the formal agenda bill had not been prepared, so the item will appear on the next consent agenda instead.

Ending: The council expects the film permit policy with the three‑tier fee schedule to appear on the consent agenda at the next council meeting for final action.