River Heights council revises fee schedule, adds 10% admin pass-through for developer pass-through costs

River Heights City Council on March 18, 2025 approved Resolution 1‑2025 to update the city’s fee schedule for planning reviews, stormwater inspections, utilities and building-related pass-through charges.

Key changes include: moving certain DRC and planning fees to align with the recently amended code; adopting county-set stormwater inspection fees (for development Notices of Intent during construction the county charges $1,000 per NOI for many project sizes); updating utility reconnect fees and the fee for inaccessible water meters (staff will send notice and a $50/month charge may apply after a deadline); and adding a uniform administrative charge for pass-through expenses to developers. The council agreed to a 10% administrative surcharge on all direct pass-through costs charged to developers, intended to cover city administrative work in collecting and processing outside invoices.

Recorder Sheila Lynn and public works director Clayton Nelson explained fee origins and practical effects. Lynn said the changes reflect updated administrative needs and the DRC’s increased administrative work; Nelson said stormwater fees come from Cache County because the county contracts for stormwater inspections. "These fees are set by the county," Nelson told the council when asked why some charges jumped.

Council members debated whether to treat pass-through charges as straight-costs or to include a small administrative markup. Michelle Johnson, the city treasurer, recommended an add-on to recover staff time: "I would do direct plus 10% just because there is a cost in us administrating that, keeping track of those bills, and collecting that fee." The council added a line in the resolution to bill pass-through expenses at cost plus 10% and approved the resolution by voice vote.

The resolution also altered the timing of some planning fees (for example switching some up-front versus final fee allocations) to better reflect where staff and consultant time is expended. The council voted to adopt the updated fee schedule and directed staff to publish the revised fees and provide developers guidance on the pass-through process.