Council adopts 2025 fee schedule changes: planning fee increases, Rogue X adjustments and $3 paper bill fee

The Medford City Council on Wednesday adopted updates to the 2025 master fee schedule that will increase several planning and permitting fees, modestly raise certain Rogue Athletic Complex fees and add a $3 monthly charge for paper utility statements. Ryan Martin, the city's chief financial officer, said the planning‑fee changes are intended to raise cost recovery from current levels toward a higher target. The proposal phases a 10% increase in planning fees each year for two years and introduces a new 1.5% project valuation fee (capped at a $500,000 valuation) for commercial, industrial and multifamily plan review. Martin said the changes aim to achieve about 77% cost recovery by the end of the biennium and that staff plan to revisit fees during the next budget cycle. On Rogue X (the city's athletic and event complex), Martin said operating expenses exceeded revenues by about $900,000 in 2024 and that the proposed fee adjustments are intended to increase cost recovery modestly; the debt service of about $3 million per year remains covered separately by fees and taxes enacted previously. Council also approved a new $3 monthly paper‑statement fee for utility customers who opt to receive printed bills; customers who choose electronic billing will not be charged. Martin estimated the paper fee could generate about $750,000 annually. Council discussion included staff assurances that common low‑income uses (swim lessons, monthly passes, daily drop‑in fees) were not being increased and that staff will produce a business plan for Rogue X to look at operations, advertising and sponsorship revenue. Councilor John Quinn praised the approach to protect small user fees and said the planning fee structure exempting single‑family projects and treating ADUs and duplexes separately was a helpful design choice. What the council did: Council adopted Council Bill 2025‑067 (fee schedule update) by roll call vote, 8–0. Speakers cited in this article are listed in the speaker list below.