COSTA MESA : City to Consider Raising Its Fees

After a two-month delay, the City Council tonight will consider raising dozens of fees, from permits for Christmas tree lots to fines for drunk drivers.

The measures would generate $1.5 million for the city.

The plan was delayed in September over concerns about a proposed frequent caller charge for people telephoning the police and another plan privatizing community service instructional programs.

Both those controversial items were dropped from the current proposal. City staff members concluded that neither was feasible due to cumbersome accounting procedures and other problems.

Anything that involves city staff time is a potential target for either a new or increased charge under the proposal.

Those who run afoul of the law could get hit the hardest.

Under the proposal, drunk drivers would pay $715 to the city if they get into an accident, up about $400 from the current charge.

Fees in the Police Department alone could result in more than $790,000 in new income to the city.

This is more than half of the estimated $1.5 million that is expected to be generated on a yearly basis by the new fee proposal, which is seen as a way to beef up ailing city coffers.

Some of the new fees suggested under the plan include charging groups who want to put up street banners to advertise and also charging for street closures.

Street banner permits would cost $215 and permits for street closures $100 if the recommendations are approved.

While these are the recommendations, the final decision rests with the council, said Marcus Davis, assistant director of finance.

“The actual fee schedule is exactly the same as those presented before,” Davis said. “But, of course, the council is free to pick and choose what, if any, they want to adjust.”

If the council approves the fee hikes, the proposal would go into effect Feb. 1.

The council meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 77 Fair Drive.