Rancho Santa Margarita council adopts 3.11% CPI adjustment to master fee schedule

The Rancho Santa Margarita City Council on a unanimous voice vote adopted a resolution updating the city’s master fee schedule to reflect a 3.11% Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase. City staff presented the proposal as an annual cost‑recovery adjustment to certain city rates, charges and user fees, with the new fees to take effect 60 days after adoption (effective date listed at the meeting: July 1, 2025).

Finance staff explained the CPI update follows a fee study and a prior council resolution adopting an updated master fee schedule in 2017 that established annual CPI adjustments beginning July 1, 2018. The staff presentation noted the CPI percentage was calculated at 3.11% and that the adjustment is limited to fees necessary to recover the estimated reasonable cost of providing municipal services.

A city staff member clarified on the record that state law and local practice prohibit charging more than the cost of providing a service, saying, “we are prohibited from charging more than the cost to provide the service.” After no public testimony during the hearing, Mayor Lehi moved to adopt the staff recommendation and the motion was seconded; council members responded “aye” and the motion carried unanimously.

The action was procedural and framed as routine cost recovery; staff said the updated master fee schedule will be placed into effect 60 days from adoption unless otherwise modified by council.

Votes at a glance • Master fee schedule CPI update (3.11%): motion moved by Mayor Lehi; second recorded on the public record; outcome: approved unanimously (all present council members voted aye).