Milwaukie council adopts FY2026 consolidated fee schedule, approves 3% card convenience fee

Milwaukie City Council voted unanimously to adopt an updated consolidated fee schedule for fiscal year 2026 that includes a proposed 3% convenience fee on payment cards and clarifying language for stormwater system development charges.

Finance Director Michael Osborne told the council, “I am here to present and answer any questions you have on the fiscal year 2026 fee schedule. This will go into effect July 1 of 20 26. The new updated, the new update to the fee schedule is I am proposing a 3%, convenience fee on payment cards.” Osborne said staff expects to implement the card convenience fee in the fall and is finalizing the implementation plan.

The fee schedule approved by the council also incorporates updates to language about stormwater SDCs to clarify how residential properties are billed and an updated utility-comparison graph prepared by the city’s utility billing staff. Osborne said the city’s single-family residential average after the updates remains about $140 per single-family home. Solid waste rates discussed at an earlier work session were included in the schedule, he said. Council and staff also noted that a separate public-safety fee remains under review and will return to council later this summer for additional refinement.

Mayor Beatty opened the public hearing, staff received no public testimony, and the council closed the public-comment portion before voting. The council approved the resolution revising fees and charges and updating the consolidated fee schedule by a 5-0 roll call (Councilor Massey; Council President Anderson; Councilor Stavenjord; Councilor Castorvati; Mayor Beatty all recorded as voting "aye"). The resolution directs that the fee schedule will take effect July 1, 2026, and that staff return with implementation details on the card convenience fee and the public-safety fee.

Key clarifications included that the convenience fee is 3% on payment cards, implementation is planned for the fall (implementation month not specified), and the stormwater SDC text was revised to remove ambiguity about billing methodology. The council asked staff for further education and outreach on the SDC chapter and requested updated charts comparing Milwaukie rates to peer cities.

The action updates city charges that affect utility billing, permitting and other municipal services. Staff said they will provide more implementation detail and public outreach before the convenience fee takes effect.