Glendora City Services Fees to Go Up

The Glendora City Council approved new increases to city service fees Tuesday, including fee increases for early parking permits, overdue library books, and increased registration fees for various Community Services Programs.

The raised fees were estimated to bring in more than $154,000 of revenue to the city. The fees were integral to the new also passed by the council Tuesday, said Finance Director Josh Betta. The newly adopted budget included $1 million in reductions across the city’s departments.

The fees are imposed to maintain “appropriate recovery ratios of service costs,” according to the city.

“We charge only what it costs us for service,” said Betta.

According to city documents, the changes to the fee schedule and the expected revenue are:

Increase Early Morning Parking Permits From $4 to $5  
$30,901

Increase Tow Contract Franchise Fees
$15,000                                                        

Increase Vehicle Impound Release Fee
$25,000                                                       

Increase Overdue Fees to 25 cents a day   
$18,875                                                 

Community Services Department                                                              

Increase Recreation Program Registration Fee
$44,135

Increase Youth Basketball Fees 
$9,405                                                                   

Extend Adult Open Play at Teen Center
$11,520                                                      

Total New Revenue 
$154,836                                                                               

Adujustments to permits were also added to Public Works, including changes  to Commercial solar installation permits.

A Parks Development Fee will also be imposed on any new commercial, manufacturing or industrial development in the city.

The new fee is $2,273 per permit, with the per permit cost for apartments and condominiums at $1,591. Any resident dwelling beyond three bedrooms or more would be assessed $200 per bedroom.

The revised Parks Development Fee is intended to assist Community Services with the implementation of its, which lays the groundwork for recreational improvements. These include upgrades to existing parks, new trails and playgrounds.

All four city council members approved the fee increase (Councilmember Doug Tessitor was absent from Tuesday’s meeting).

“In reality, these fees brings us closer to surrounding communities,” said Mayor  Gene Murabito. Murabito called the fees necessary, pointing to the city’s $1 million budget cuts.

However,  Murabito and Councilmember Judy Nelson expressed concerns that the raised fees could deter new development and involvement in community services programs.

“I think this is something we are going to have to monitor very carefully over the next year to see if this fee increase causes people to not to enroll in our classes or causes developers to not eagerly come in to Glendora to develop,” said Nelson. She cited comments  she received from seniors complaining that the increased fees could severely impact participation at the center.

“But I know [the fees] are really necessary at this time to help cover our expenses,” said Nelson.