| | | | | | | | | City of Independence | | AGENDA ITEM COVER SHEET |
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| | | | | | | | Agenda Title:
Approval is recommended to amend the Schedule of Fees for the City of Independence effective July 1, 2020. |
| | | | | | | | Recommendations:
Staff recommends approval. |
| | | | | | | | Executive Summary:
The City’s Schedule of Fees sets the amount to be charged for various City services other than those set forth in the City Code or established by separate ordinance or resolution. As required by the Missouri State Constitution, the revenues generated from the proposed fee amendments do not exceed the cost of providing the service. Moreover, the proposed fees were compared to surrounding jurisdictions to ensure they are in line with regional averages.
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| | | | | | | | Background:
The proposed changes recommended represent routine adjustments to fees to keep pace with inflation and changes in City services. The proposed changes were incorporated into the revenue projections for the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2020-21.
The proposed fee increase for fingerprinting with a background check, which is charged for Private Watchguards, would allow the City to begin conducting Federal background checks in addition to the State of Missouri background checks. Many of the security guard applications received are from applicants living in Kansas or applicants who have only recently moved to Missouri. It serves no useful purpose to check only Missouri Criminal History. Conducting both Missouri and FBI checks on all security guard applicants (for armed and unarmed positions) is necessary in order to successfully identify any major criminal histories.
The proposed fee addition for Development Plan Reviews will help cover staffing costs due to multiple plan reviews and consultant staff time. In many cases, multiple reviews with multiple reviewers are conducted on the same development to finalize a compliant plan submission. Other cities charge thousands for development or constructions permits that include inspection and impact fees.
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Fiscal Impact:
The cost to each applicant for the fingerprinting fee with background check will increase from $25.00 to $33.25. This is strictly the cost of fingerprinting and having the prints run through both Missouri and FBI systems. It provides no income to the City. The $8.25 cost increase to the applicant is a necessary step to improving the quality of the Watchguard program background check.
It is estimated that, on average, the City will receive 10 development reviews per year. This would result in $8,250.00 in estimated revenues. The revenues received will not exceed the cost of providing the service.
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| | | | | | | | | Department: Finance & Administration | Contact Person: Jessica Earl |
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| REVIEWERS: | | Department | Action | | City Clerk Department | Approved | | Finance Department | Approved | | City Managers Office | Approved | | City Clerk Department | Approved |
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| Council Action: | Council Action: |
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