Kingman updates comprehensive fee schedule; council approves across‑the‑board adjustments

The City Council on May 25 approved Resolution 5560 to add, remove and increase multiple fees across the city’s comprehensive fee schedule. The changes follow a multi‑department review of direct‑benefit services that had not been updated citywide since 2018.

Deputy City Manager Tina Moline summarized the review process: staff examined direct costs (salaries, benefits, supplies), statutory fee changes and credit‑card processing impacts, and compared Kingman’s fees to peer cities. The fee adjustments affect building and permitting fees, engineering inspection fees (including a new inspection fee for outside‑city utility work), fire plan review and facility inspection fees, parks and recreation charges, golf nonresident fees, copies and payment return fees, and conference room rental fees at the PowerHouse, among others.

Moline said the proposed changes would increase general‑fund revenue by approximately $194,000, add $77,000 to the water operating fund and $45,000 to the wastewater fund, and modestly increase PowerHouse revenue. Most program fees remain well below full cost recovery; staff characterized the changes as moving fees closer to cost while still subsidizing core public services where appropriate.

Councilor Walker suggested more frequent fee reviews and proposed a two‑year cycle rather than a multi‑year gap; the council agreed and approved Resolution 5560 by motion and voice vote. The resolution directs staff to implement the revised fee schedule effective July 1, 2025.