COSTA MESA : City Delays Action on Increased Fees

A proposal to raise dozens of city fees was put on hold by the City Council this week after members questioned many of the suggested changes.

In an unanimous decision Monday, the council agreed to take up the issue in 60 days, after the city staff has a chance to work out some of the finer details and lingering concerns.

Council members suggested alternatives to raising fees, such as eliminating certain procedures altogether. They also requested fee comparisons for other cities before making a decision.

Dozens of new and increased user fees are included in the proposal, which if adopted could pump more than $1.5 million into ailing city coffers. From Christmas tree lot permits to false alarms, nearly every city service that requires staff time is targeted for a fee increase.

In some cases the increases are substantial. Under the plan, police response to a burglary alarm that goes off by accident could cost residents $145, or $120 more than currently charged.

City Manager Allan L. Roeder said the increases were not in response to the recent state budget crisis, which stripped more than $1.5 million from city revenue. Rather, many of the fees have not been raised in several years, which accounts for some of the huge hikes, he said.