Council adopts annual CPI adjustments and targeted fee changes despite dissent

City staff presented a resolution to amend the comprehensive fee schedule effective Jan. 1, 2026 to implement CPI‑U based annual cost‑of‑living adjustments and several staff‑recommended changes to fees across departments.

JC explained the methodology and noted a missing October Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI‑U data point because of a federal data interruption; staff recommended using an 11‑month average to calculate the change (the presented CPI change was 2.71 percent). The proposal included specific fee changes such as a planning and building surcharge applied to Type 3 and 4 land‑use applications, revised temporary‑use fees, adding a stormwater calculation fee in engineering, adjustments to finance charges (including a brewery volume charge), removal of River Vista House fees in parks and a new special events section in economic development.

Councilors asked technical and implementation questions: Rick located the wastewater bulk processing fee, Indra asked about brewery fee rationale and whether city funds would serve broader regional beneficiaries, and JC and Jason (public works director) explained the brewery rate discount is intended to account for water that becomes product and not wastewater. Councilor Indra strongly objected to automated annual CPI increases without clearer allocations for use and asked what additional revenue the increase would produce; other councilors, citing fiscal responsibility and the need to cover costs and new hires, supported the adjustments.

Council approved the resolution 6–1 (Indra opposed). Staff will implement the fee schedule changes effective Jan. 1, 2026 and return as needed to report on revenue and implementation.