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Council adopts updated system development charge methodology and fee schedule for wastewater and transportation
Summary
Staton City Council adopted two resolutions updating the System Development Charge (SDC) methodology for wastewater and transportation and adopting fee schedule amendments for FY25–26 to reflect inflation and the new methodologies. Council emphasized that new growth should bear the costs of system expansion.
The Staton City Council on July 21 adopted Resolution 25-026 to update SDC methodologies for wastewater and transportation and Resolution 25-027 to amend the FY25–26 fee schedule to reflect inflationary adjustments and the revised SDC methodologies.
City staff said the transportation and wastewater SDC methodologies had not been updated since 2014 and therefore did not reflect current capital needs, construction costs and growth forecasts. Staff engaged FCS Group to prepare updated methodology reports and issued 90-day public-notice in compliance with the Oregon Revised Statutes, staff said.
Council discussion stressed the policy choice to place capital costs for system expansion on new development rather than current ratepayers. Councilor Sims said the council did not want “the burden for upgrades to our systems put on the current taxpayers,” and supported setting rates at defensible maximums so new construction bears the cost.
Votes: For Resolution 25-026 (updated methodology) the council voted 4–0. Vote recorded as: Councilor O’Rourke — yes; Councilor Patty — yes; Councilor Kerry — yes; Councilor Simms — yes. For Resolution 25-027 (fee schedule amendments) council voted 4–0. Vote recorded as: Councilor Ort — yes; Councilor Patty — yes; Councilor Carey — yes; Councilor Sims — yes.
What this changes: The updated methodologies and fee schedule set higher, methodology-based SDC rates that city staff described as “the maximum defensible rates” and also update parks, water and storm fees for inflation per the construction cost index. Staff said the packet includes a clearer, more detailed fee schedule for residential and nonresidential users.
Ending: Staff said the updates will improve transparency in how SDCs are calculated and ensure new growth pays the capital costs necessary to serve it. The city will publish the new fee schedule and methodology reports on its website.
