MOORPARK : Builder Fee Revenues Expected to Increase

Moorpark city officials have projected a dramatic increase in developer fee revenues next fiscal year, after their recent tentative approval of proposals that would add nearly 5,000 new homes to the city over the next 20 years.

To reap the benefits of the increase in fees collected, City Council members agreed Wednesday to try to contain costs for providing engineering and other services related to development.

Councilman Scott Montgomery pointed out to the council that the proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 projects a $311,000 increase in the costs for providing development-related services.

This increase in costs would gobble up most of a projected $356,371 increase in developer fees next year.

City Manager Steven Kueny said other cities “support planning services with their general fund. We don’t have that luxury because we receive a relatively small share of property taxes back from the county.” Instead, Moorpark pays for its planning services with developer fees.

To make up for the increased costs of providing services, the council decided to try to cut operating costs in the public works and community development departments before approving the final budget by the end of this month.

In reviewing the budget, the council also questioned a projected increase in the cost for police services from $2.1 million to $2.2 million, or about 60% of Moorpark’s total general fund revenues.

The projected increase includes a 6% rise in salaries for the Ventura County sheriff’s deputies who patrol Moorpark. Lt. Geoffrey Dean told the council that the actual salary increase will depend on negotiations between the county and the sheriff’s union.

The council agreed to allow for a possible 6% salary increase, but Mayor Paul W. Lawrason Jr. said he doubts that the county will agree to such an raise in the current recession.