Resident questions sudden appearance of $20 —public safety— fee on Fairview bill; city explains council consolidated two proposed fees

A Fairview resident raised a public-comment question at the council—s Aug. 20 meeting after receiving a bill showing a $20 public-safety fee. The resident said he had attended an earlier meeting where he believed the measure under discussion was a $15 public-safety fee and expressed concern the bill now showed $20.

City leaders responded on the record. The city manager explained that the council had previously discussed two separate fees (a $15 public-safety fee and a $5 parks fee) and that, during subsequent council deliberations, the council consolidated those lines into a single $20 public-safety fee that funds the city—s general public-safety costs (police, fire and 9-1-1). The manager said that consolidation was completed in open council meetings and that the city will publish materials explaining the change.

Council and staff noted the fee proceeds are intended to offset general-fund public-safety costs (the manager summarized the city—s current public-safety obligations, including payments for sheriff and fire services) and that the single fee was chosen in part to avoid multiple small line items on utility bills and to simplify billing and administration.

The councilor and city manager invited the resident to follow up with staff for account-specific details; staff said they have informational materials and would make them available.

No retroactive billing changes were announced at the meeting; staff said any future clarifications or notice materials would be published through regular city channels.