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San Jose council questions steep fee increases; staff cites updated cost-recovery analysis and plans for phased changes
Summary
Councilmembers pressed staff on large year‑over‑year jumps in certain permit and application fees — notably the commercial linkage application and cannabis initial application — and urged automation, fee calculators and phased increases to reduce burdens on small businesses and childcare providers.
San Jose councilmembers questioned staff about large increases in several application fees during the budget study session, pressing for automation and fee‑calculator tools to reduce time and cost burdens on small businesses.
Councilmembers identified two application fees with notable year‑over‑year increases: the commercial linkage fee standard application (roughly a 51% increase) and the cannabis initial application (roughly a 44% increase). Councilmember Mulcahy and others asked why seemingly routine application fees rose so sharply.
Jim (budget staff) said the annual fees-and-charges review seeks cost recovery and that…
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