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San Leandro council adopts FY2027 fee schedule, approves CPI adjustments for select taxes
Summary
The council unanimously adopted an amended FY2027 master fee schedule and approved ordinance amendments allowing a 3% CPI adjustment to the business license tax, emergency medical services tax and emergency communications access tax; staff said most fees follow cost-recovery rules under state law.
The San Leandro City Council unanimously adopted an amended master fee schedule for fiscal year 2027 and approved ordinance amendments to allow a 3% consumer-price-index adjustment to the business license tax, emergency medical services tax and the emergency communications systems access tax.
Assistant Finance Director Felicia Silva presented the annual update, explaining the legal basis for fees under Proposition 26 and relevant Government Code sections, and said staff typically applies December-over-December CPI (December 2024 to December 2025) and construction cost indices where appropriate.
Vice Mayor Vivero Swalton raised questions about a specific increase to the block-party permit fee (cited in the discussion as rising from $31 to $125), seeking clarity about prior deliberations. Silva and staff explained the fee review process, noting last year's fee study provided the base for the current schedule and adjustments were consistent with cost-recovery principles. Several members emphasized that many fees remain at or below peer jurisdictions because the city has chosen not to pursue full cost recovery for some services.
The mayor opened the public hearing; online commenters asked for more context on CPI choices and whether fee increases would precede or conflict with a potential revenue measure on the ballot. After limited public comment, the vice mayor moved to adopt the fee schedule and ordinance amendments; Councilmember James Aguilar seconded. The clerk read the roll; the motion carried unanimously.
What it means: The adoption authorizes staff to implement the updated fee schedule and to proceed with the specified CPI-linked ordinance changes for the named taxes. Councilmembers asked staff to provide clearer documentation on individual fee changes, definitions, and any exemptions when asked by stakeholders in the coming weeks.
Next steps: Staff will post the updated master fee schedule and ordinance language online and incorporate the revenue impacts into the midcycle budget documents previously approved by the council.
