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Goleta council adopts annual user fees and charges after public hearing, approves 3.3% CPI adjustments and schedule cleanups
Summary
After a public hearing and staff presentation, the Goleta City Council adopted an updated user fees and charges resolution that applies a 3.3% CPI adjustment to many regulatory fees, clarifies descriptions, and updates deposits and penalties; the vote was unanimous.
The City Council held a public hearing on proposed annual adjustments to user fees and charges for fiscal year 2025–26 and, after staff presentation and public testimony, voted unanimously to adopt a new resolution replacing the prior schedule.
City staff told the council the update centers on regulatory fees — planning, permits, business licenses and related charges — and a staff‑recommended average CPI increase of 3.3% across the schedule. Tony Gonzales, a staff presenter, explained the process staff used to build fees, including a 2021 cost allocation plan, full‑cost recovery calculations and an effort to avoid overcharging in line with Proposition 218.
Staff also recommended small cleanups and clarifications: consolidating some planning deposits, adding explicit dollar amounts where prior entries read “50% of the clearance fee,” clarifying encroachment permit categories, and aligning certain film and building permit items with industry practice. Neighborhood Services recommended no CPI increases on many park and program fees to encourage usage; some pass‑through cleaning fees were updated to match vendor charges.
Council members questioned details including zoning clearance changes, community center display and cleaning fees, and encroachment fees for public‑right‑of‑way work. Staff clarified that encroachment permits apply to construction or changes within the public right of way (driveway curb work, sewer lateral repairs) but not routine private property tree trimming unless it affects city infrastructure.
Motion and vote: A motion to adopt a resolution rescinding Resolution 24‑23 and adopting the fiscal year 2025–26 user fee schedule passed on a roll‑call vote that recorded five ayes (Council members Reyes Martin, Kiriakou, Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Kazdin and Mayor Perotti). The motion was introduced during the meeting after the public hearing and staff responses to council questions.
Ending: The updated fee schedule will be incorporated into the FY 2025–26 budget process and staff will return with additional fee schedule cleanups and any necessary implementing language at subsequent budget hearings.
