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Council adopts Resolution 2175 to update fee schedule, sets 3.6% SDC increase and flat 3% card fee
Summary
Council voted to adopt Resolution 2175, which establishes a flat 3% credit/debit card fee (except courts) and applies a 3.6% annual increase to system development charges (SDCs); Public Works Director Stewart said the proposal keeps Cottage Grove below some regional SDC averages and provided a $633 example increase on a recent permit.
The Cottage Grove City Council adopted Resolution 2175 amending the comprehensive fee schedule to set a flat 3% credit/debit card usage fee (except for court transactions) and to apply a 3.6% annual adjustment to system development charges (SDCs), Public Works Director Stewart told the council.
Stewart explained the credit-card fee change and said staff worked with engineering to propose an SDC adjustment tied to the Engineering News‑Record index from December 2024 to December 2025. He said the proposed 3.6% increase would raise the SDC for a recently permitted three‑bedroom house example from $17,581.67 to $18,214.73 — a $633.06 increase — and that the resulting SDCs remain below some South Willamette Valley averages.
Council members asked clarifying questions about whether SDCs are one‑time fees tied to permits and the uses of those fees; Stewart confirmed SDCs are a one‑time charge that buys capacity in existing infrastructure and funds future capital improvements. After a brief public‑comment prompt, Councilor Evan moved to adopt the resolution and the council seconded.
The council adopted Resolution 2175 by roll‑call vote. Recorded votes on the motion showed Councilor Lammerman voting "No;" other councilors present voted "Aye." The mayor declared the motion carried.
Why it matters: SDCs fund future capital investments (parks, sewer, water, storm, transportation) and the card‑fee change shifts the processing cost structure for many transactions. Stewart said staff will continue discussing how SDC policy aligns with council priorities and that the matter could be revisited in future discussions.
Ending: Council indicated interest in a future work session to align SDC levels with city goals and priorities; no further council action on the SDC policy was taken tonight beyond adoption of the fee‑schedule resolution.
