Sunnyside staff propose fee-schedule clean-up; utility-rate and ambulance-billing studies to inform changes

Sunnyside City staff told the council on Oct. 6 that they have reworked the municipal fee schedule to correct multi-year inconsistencies and prepare for 2026 rate updates, while separate consultant studies will recommend final utility and ambulance rates.

Staff member Hector (presenting the schedule) said prior years’ intended annual increases had not consistently been applied, producing internal mismatches. “When I went back, like I stated, 3 to 4 years... I come to find out that it wasn't up 5%,” Hector said; he then said he applied a true 5% update across the fee table to align numbers to “the dime, to the penny.” Councilors and staff noted some fees showed large jumps where previous rounding had masked the correct increase.

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