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Council approves tiered roadway improvement fee for nonresidential users on first reading
Summary
Council passed first reading of Bill 31 to modify the roadway improvement fee so that high users (large retailers/transporters) pay a higher, tiered rate; vote passed 6–1 with concerns from Councilor Ireland about impacts to small businesses and consumers.
Council advanced Councilor's Bill 31 on first reading on July 27, modifying Title 9, Chapter 8 of the Westminster Municipal Code to adopt a tiered roadway improvement fee for nonresidential users intended to allocate road-repair costs more equitably among heavy roadway users and large retailers.
Supporters, including councilors who backed the change, said the tiered approach shifts costs toward higher users of the right-of-way — a move staff and council argued is more equitable than raising residential fees. Councilor Rosati said, "Big corporations need to be paying their fair share," arguing the prior flat fee placed the burden on residents. Councilor Ireland dissented, calling the jump in fees “too fast” and expressing concern about disproportionate effects on small businesses and consumers; she voted no. The ordinance passed first reading on a 6–1 roll call.
Staff will continue outreach with the business community as the fee structure is refined for subsequent readings and implementation.
