The Town is authorized to charge a fee for services based on the actual cost of the service provided. For rental of facilities, the Town can charge market rates. Have you ever wondered just how much the Town collects through Charges for Services?
There are a number of fee categories:
* Building Permits
* Planning Permits
* Encroachment Permits
* Social Permits
* Class Fees
* Facility Use Fees (Weddings, special events, meetings, etc.)
* Grading Permit Fees
* Photocopy Fees
* Banner Permit Fees
* And more...
In total, the Town collects approximately $2.2 million in fees each year. The law provides that fees collected cannot exceed the cost of providing the service. In other words, the Town cannot make a profit on providing services to the community. However, for use of facilities - such as the Park - the Town can charge market rate.
As one might expect, development fees of all varieties are the Town's largest fee revenue source. Building Permits make up the largest at approximately $970,000. Plan Check Fees come in next at just under half that amount - $435,000. Next up is Encroachment Permit Fees at about $220,000. Zoning and Planning Permit Fees at roughly $200,000 and Grading and Drainage at about $80,000. After development fees, there are 29 other fee categories rounding out the remaining $295,000.
Click on the link below and it will take you to the Town's OpenGov.com Fiscal Transparency site. You will be directed to the chart showing the Town's Charges for Services detail. Feel free to browse around a bit and note as well that the Town's Draft 2014/15 Budget is available through the portal. The Council will be looking at the Budget during their May 21, 2014 City Council Meeting.
For questions regarding the above or how to use OpenGov.com, feel free to contact Robert Barron III, Finance Director for the Town of Atherton.