Finance Committee recommends citywide cost-of-service study and fee adjustments, asks staff to refine selected items

The Palo Alto Finance Committee on April 29 reviewed a citywide cost-of-service study prepared with Matrix Consulting Group and recommended that staff forward the proposed municipal fee adjustments to the City Council while returning with refinements on several items.

Lauren Lai, the city—s chief financial officer, presented the study, describing it as a time-based analysis of the city—s transactions and fee activities. Courtney Ramos of Matrix Consulting Group was available online to answer methodology questions. Lai said the study updates hourly rates and proposed fee schedules across multiple departments so fees better reflect the cost to provide services and align with the City Council—s cost-recovery policy.

The study proposes a mix of fee adjustments across administrative services, planning and development, community services, fire/EMS, police, public works and utilities. Key items discussed at length included a new "first responder" fee for certain EMS responses (a $497 fee line),…