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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8D - Waiver of Fees Policy cnv COUNCIl.. AGENOA REPORT, ~~aooo ~ .. ' ~~;~~ AGI!ftt)ARM: ~R.APPItOVAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY REGARDING WMtl.ROFFEES. DI$CU88ION:~The City Council .has previously direQtedthe.preparationof a policy to provlde.gukIanoe regarding fee waiver. The CityAttomey has cautioned the CouriCII 'tegarding the ISsues associated with ~ng fees. The Council previously received a draft of a potential waiver policy for information. ' CumIn' ~",stances: At the November 6,2000 ,meeting, the CIty Council considered. a' pOlicy which allowed the waiver of fees for certain events. The City Council expressed · concem abOut various aspectsof,thepolicy including equity of administration and fees eligible for waiver. It appeared. that there was cons~nsus among 'CouncDmembers that the most appropriate policy ,wOuld allow for no fee waiver. The staff was directed to prepare a revised policy andretum to the Coundl. ' , :~Dlr.the attached policy prohibits the waiver of any City fees. AL1'ERNA1'IY8S: (1)A(lQpttheproposed policy as recommended or with amendments. (a) Take no action. ~Ml!NPED ''''RON: Alternative (1). l6eOQ Eagtt Creek Ave. S,E., Prior La., Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 1:\CQUtQ.~S\2OOO\1204_FEE'W~R11JNlTY EMPLOYER . ./ ~ POLICY REGARDING WAIVER OF FEES GENERAL The City, from time to time, receives requests to waive fees. Fee waiver requests have been received for zoning and other development related fees as well as building permit fees. Fee waiver requests have also been requested for liquor licenses, facility rental fees and outdoor concerts fees. Typically, organizations requesting waiver have Included churches, civic organizations, schools and Individuals. The purpose of this policy is to assure conformance with equal protection provisions of the Constitution, and to preserve the integrity of the user fee concept by establishing a uniform policy for considering fee waiver requests. PuRPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY FoR FEES The CIty Council concurs with the philosophy of charging user fees wherein an individual or organtzation receiving a specific City service pays reasonable costs associated with delivering that service. User fees help reduce the likelihood that all taxpayers subsidize services enjoyed by one or only a few individuals. Fifteen percent (15%) of the City's annual budgetary revenues are derived from . user fees. Such fees are received in lieu of property taxes to support the City's budget. POUCY To assure that per.sons enjoying a ~ervlce pay for that service, and to conform with equal protection provisions of the Constitution, the City Council will not waive City fees. This policy applies to all City fees of any sort. 1:~.Iftt\FEEWAlVER.DOC last misIon: Dee. 2000