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Consultant presents draft fee study; town could raise fees closer to full cost recovery
Summary
Consultant NBS presented a draft fee study showing the town currently collects about $1.3M annually in fees, with a potential full‑cost recovery of about $1.6M. Staff recommended selective subsidies for planning fees tied to housing goals; council endorsed clearer communication about where subsidies remain and asked staff to return with final fee schedules.
The town’s fee study consultant, Nicole Kissam of NBS, presented draft results on Feb. 14, showing the Town of Ross collected roughly $1.3 million in fees in recent practice and that the full cost‑of‑service analysis yields about $1.6 million — an overall recovery rate of roughly 84% with the objective of moving toward about 90%.
Kissam explained the methodology: calculate fully burdened hourly rates from current budgets and staffing, estimate time per permit/fee, and compute per‑unit fees subject to constitutional and statutory limits (Article 13C and Government Code fee rules). The study broke recovery out by program: planning (~60%), building (~near 100% for many fees), public works (~70%), police (low share due to broader service mix) and a general plan fee component.
Staff recommended keeping some planning fees below 100% recovery to support housing goals (for ADUs, small design reviews, use permits) and to remain consistent with neighboring jurisdictions. Council members asked for clearer public messaging that the town subsidizes certain fee categories, and for administrative discretion language about limited cases where full fees would not be charged in the event of minimal incremental staff time (e.g., small amendments). Town staff and the consultant said some fees are capped by state law (solar fees, etc.) and that adopting targeted adjustments could add roughly $250,000 in annual recoveries if taken to 100% where permitted.
Council provided affirmative feedback and directed staff to return with a final fee schedule and a public‑facing explanation of adjustments before adoption in a future hearing.
