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Orinda Council adopts updated master fee schedule, ties park fee to lower home prices
Summary
The Orinda City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 22-25 on June 17 approving annual adjustments to the city's master fee schedule, including CPI-based increases, a slight reduction in the park dedication fee tied to local home-price data and timing for several fee changes.
The Orinda City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved Resolution 22-25, adopting the city’s annual master fee schedule that adjusts most service fees by the February 2025 Consumer Price Index and implements timing changes for several categories of fees.
City Assistant Manager Doug Alessio, who introduced the proposal, said the city updates fees "at a noticed public hearing pursuant to state law." He told the council most fees were adjusted by the February 2025 CPI (2.7%) and that the staff provided a redline comparison showing current and proposed amounts.
The council discussion focused on a small set of fees that were not CPI-driven. Alessio said the park dedication fee is tied to the Contra Costa Association of Realtors’ published home‑price data and declined slightly this year because the city’s estimate of average home prices fell. He also noted the regional transportation impact fee is updated annually on Jan. 1 and was incorporated into the schedule for administrative completeness.
Council members asked about the city’s authority to add new fees and whether fee levels are comparable to neighboring jurisdictions. Alessio said the city can add or amend fees at any time and confirmed staff plans to commission a formal user‑fee study in the future to refresh cost allocations that have long been adjusted only by CPI. He also said development impact fees and general user fees are distinct: impact fees address capital and infrastructure needs tied to new development, while user fees recover the cost of current services.
Under the resolution, general fees become effective July 1; business registration fees will increase for registrations due after Dec. 31, 2025; and the park dedication fee takes effect 60 days after adoption. Alessio said the city will again update the schedule in January 2026 when the regional transportation fee adjusts.
Action: Councilmember motioned and seconded approval; the resolution passed by unanimous voice vote. No public speakers addressed the item, although the council noted it received a written public comment from Nick Warnock on the hearing.
The council directed staff to pursue a user‑fee study to more precisely match service costs and to explore whether future development tied to the housing element should prompt separate development‑impact analyses for public‑facilities fees.
