Newark council adopts FY2025–26 master fee schedule with targeted adjustments

The Newark City Council adopted a resolution approving the city's master fee schedule for fiscal year 2025'26 at its June meeting, with most changes taking effect July 1, 2025 and development-related fees effective 60 days after adoption in accordance with state law.

The vote follows a presentation from Michelle Villanueva, senior accountant in the finance department, who said staff reviews the schedule annually "to ensure the fees are aligned with the actual cost of services." Villanueva told the council the last comprehensive update occurred in November 2024 and that the current package contains targeted adjustments rather than an across-the-board increase.

The revised schedule includes fee increases and decreases intended to meet cost-recovery goals, updates to recreation rental terminology and aquatic rental fees tied to facility enhancements, new state-mandated fire-inspection fees, updates to fire code operational permits, and decreases to various impact fees tied to changes in the Engineering News-Record construction cost index. Villanueva said the development-related fee adjustments will follow the state-required 60-day effective period.

Finance Director Kristen Lee explained that contract costs are incorporated into the cost-analysis used to set rates. "When we do the cost analysis, contract costs are considered and incorporated into the rates that are set at the time," Lee said.

Vice Mayor moved the measure, Councilmember Contanzio seconded, and the council approved the resolution by a 4-0 vote, with one member absent. Council staff said the schedule would be effective July 1, 2025, except for development fees as noted.

The adoption formalizes targeted fee changes intended to better align user charges with service costs and to reflect recent facility and regulatory changes.