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Council reviews public safety fee classification for assisted‑living facilities; staff recommends status quo
Summary
Staff recommended that assisted‑living facilities continue to be charged the existing commercial public safety fee rather than a per‑unit residential fee; councilors discussed definitions and largely supported leaving the ordinance as written.
Baker City — City staff reviewed whether assisted‑living facilities should be charged the public safety fee per unit or under the commercial rate. After reviewing Ordinance 3400’s definitions, staff recommended maintaining the status quo and treating assisted‑living facilities as non‑residential (commercial) for public safety fee purposes.
Staff explained that the ordinance defines a residential unit as a developed property that provides complete living facilities and lists multifamily housing examples; assisted living facilities are typically intended as medical facilities rather than residential units under that definition, staff said. ‘‘In my opinion, that definition appears to fit the assisted facility better than the residential unit definition. So my recommendation is just to continue with the status quo in the offices of public safety unit in assisted living facilities,’’ the staff presenter said.
Councilors discussed the point and several agreed that assisted‑living facilities did not fit the residential‑unit definition and should remain on the commercial fee schedule. No formal ordinance change or vote was recorded; the staff recommendation to leave the fee classification as currently applied was discussed and accepted as staff guidance.
