Finance committee postpones rooming‑house fee decision, asks finance staff for precise cost estimate

The finance standing committee on June 3 voted to postpone action on R1 1726, a resolution setting a fee for a new rooming‑house license, and asked the finance department for a more precise estimate of administrative and inspection costs. The motion to delay was seconded and carried by voice vote; the item will return to the committee for further review before council consideration.

Sean Doyle, filling in for Joel in the budget office, presented the fiscal impact note and said the fee proposed in the staff report was $125 — equal to the standard rental operating license — and that planning and zoning estimated about five rooming houses the first year. Doyle said the fee as drafted is not expected to fully offset initial administrative and ongoing compliance costs related to inspection, zoning review and licensing.

Committee members debated whether the fee should be set to recover both fixed startup costs and ongoing variable costs. Alderman Thorp pushed for a firmer estimate and suggested a fee in the ballpark of $135 so the fee could better cover program costs; other members cautioned about raising fees on an affordable housing type and highlighted the uncertainty in early estimates. Cynthia Reutder of the Office of Law reminded the committee the underlying legislation remains under review (planning commission) and will also go to economic matters and rules, meaning there is time to refine numbers.

After discussion, a motion to postpone R1 1726 until the next finance committee meeting carried on a voice vote; the committee directed the finance department to return with a more specific cost calculation to support any fee recommendation.

The postponement ensures the committee can review a more precise fiscal estimate before making a recommendation to the council.