ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: April 22, 2026 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent Calendar Public Hearing TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Randy McKeegan, Finance Director
DATE: April 8, 2026
SUBJECT: Public Hearing to Consider Resolution adopting fees pursuant to the cost recovery system and approving the Master Fee Schedule.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of the resolution.
BACKGROUND:
State law requires new fees, charges, and increases in existing fees and charges to be adopted by ordinance or resolution following a public hearing on said fees and charges. Chapter 3.70 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code (BMC) authorizes the establishment and increase of fees and charges by resolution for the City. In accordance with Chapter 3.70 of the BMC, the adoption of new and increased fees and charges is necessary for the City to recover the reasonable estimated cost of providing the services for which the fees are charged.
City staff completed a full review of the master fee schedule in May 2021. Supplementary updates of fees and language to the last fee schedule were approved in April 2023, April 2024, and April 2025 based on increases to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) those respective years. That same review based on CPI is being applied in the current year with additional fees detailed below.
The attached resolution along with Exhibit A represents the entire master fee schedule docu ment to be authorized. The first column of numbers lists the current fees in place, and the second column or numbers are the proposed fees for the upcoming fiscal year.
Each department completed a full review of fees that included a thorough examination of the related time spent and materials used by staff. The majority of the fees increased based on changes in the consumer price index for the Los Angeles, Long Beach, & Anaheim region, which results in increases between 3% and 4%. This review also included updates to the administrative overhead rates which recover costs of supporting divisions within the City, which includes Technology Services, City Attorney, Finance, and Human Resources. This review was consistent with budget instructions, which requested that departments review their fees to verify full cost recovery. The council has historically supported fees at or near 100% cost recovery for most charges, except for some recreation and parks program activities.
Thes fees are subsidized by the General Fund, which has been the City’s continued practice for many years to benefit underserved communities that utilize those services.
The proposed fee schedule also includes fees updated for service needs and programs. This includes new activity for economic and community development , development services, fire protection services , recreation & parks, and water services. There are also updates to the schedule to include fees that were omitted from the document but should be added to have a more comple te and accurate record of City Fees. Explanations for these additions are detailed below. Also included in the explanations below are fees that are increasing or decreasing by material amounts for reasons other than the change in fringe and overhead rates.
Economic and Community Development has added back and updated section B-41 since it was removed in error during the last review of the Master Fee Schedule.
The proposed changes were deemed necessary to align with rising operational costs, including sala ry adjustments per the current salary schedule and increased expenditures for program service and delivery.
The adjustment ensures financial stability while maintaining compliance with budgetary requirements.
Cultural Resource Review – Cultural Resource Review Fee – B-41-1 Economic & Community Development is requesting the reinstatement of the Cultural Resource Review Fee. The application fee for historic property owners to request consideration of their property as a cultural resource and added to the Ba kersfield Register of Historic Places. The services provided is application review for eligibility per City Municipal Code and process for consideration and approval with two public hearings, one at Historic Preservation Commission and one at City Council, and recordation of the designation if approved. The service provides long term preservation of the property and reduces the impact of demolition or modifications that remove historic features.
Development Services has proposed changes to existing fees in the following sections: A-1, A-2, A-3, B-42 and F-103. The proposed changes to service center A1-3 were deemed necessary to mitigate fee increases driven by higher Building Valuation Data (BVD), the fees will be either held flat or reduced. The proposed changes to B-42 are deemed necessary to recoup the cost incurred by staff to process all fees associated with the County Clerk filing. The proposed changes to F-103 are deemed necessary to gradually increase to reach the full cost recovery amount over time.
Fire Prevention Services has proposed changes to existing fees in the following sections A-1, A-8, A-9, A- 10, B-23, B-25, B-27, B-28, B-37, B-40, and D -75. Fee increases are required to cover salary/operating expenses within the Fire Prevention Services Division.
Fire Department Growth Fees:
1. Residential Construction – New, Additions, Alterations, Remodel or Repair – Residential Construction – Permit Processing and Inspection Fees – Fire Department Growth Fee – A-1-1
2. Residential Construction – New, Additions, Alterations, Remodel or Repair – Residential Individual Trade Permit – Electrical, Mechanical or Plumbing – Requiring Multiple Inspections or Plan Check – Fire Department Growth Fee – A-1-2
3. Commercial Construction – New, Additions, Alterations, Remodel or Repair – Commercial Construction – Permit Processing and Inspection Fees – Fire Department Growth Fee – A-2-1
4. Tentative Subdivision Map Review – Parcel Map Review – Fire Department Growth Fee – B-25-1
5. Tentative Subdivision Map Review – Revised Parcel Map Review – Fire Department Growth Fee – B-25-2
6. Tentative Subdivision Map Review – Tract Map Review – Fire Department Growth Fee – B-25-4
7. Preliminary Project Review – Development Review – Fire Department Growth Fee – B-27-4
8. Preliminary Project Review – Planned Development Review – Fire Department Growth Fee – B- 27-5
9. Site Plan Review – Minimum Fee – Fire Department Growth Fee – B-28-1
10. Site Plan Review – Maximum Fee – Fire Department Growth Fee – B-28-2
11. Map & Improvement Plan Checking – Final Tract Maps / Final Parcel Maps – Fire Department Growth Fee – B-37-1
Fire prevention is requesting the addition of a new fee for the above -mentioned sections. The Fir e Department Growth Fee shall be imposed on new development and qualifying changes to existing development that increase demand for fire protection, emergency medical services, and related public safety infrastructure. The fee is intended to fund the expan sion, enhancement and long -term sustainability of Fire Department facilities, apparatus, equipment, technology, and staffing necessary to maintain adopted response standards and service levels as the community grows. The growth fee shall be assessed for each individual dwelling unit or equivalent unit of development, including each dwelling unit within a multifamily or apartment complex, as defined in an adopted fee schedule. The fee shall be charged at the time of issuance of a building permit, certificate of occupancy, or other entitlement, approval, or inspection as determined by the City. The fees shall apply to new construction, additions, or changes of use that result in increased fire service demand.
State-Mandated Fire Inspection – Fire Inspection – 1-25 Units – A-8-2 Fire prevention is requesting the addition of a new fee for 1 -25 Units. This new fee covers the cost of all inspections including plan review time frame and office staff time to process permits.
State-Mandated Fire Inspection – Fire Inspection – 26-50 Units – A-8-2 Fire prevention is requesting the addition of a new fee for 26-50 Units. This new fee covers the cost of all inspections including plan review time frame and office staff time to process permits.
State-Mandated Fire Inspection – Fire Inspection – 51-100 Units – A-8-2 Fire prevention is requesting the addition of a new fee for 51-100 Units. This new fee covers the cost of all inspections including plan review time frame and office staff time to process permits.
Fire Service Fees – Lift Assist Fee – D-75-5
Fire prevention is requesting the addition of a new fee for Fire Services Fees. The lift assist fee shall be assessed for responses to facilities that are required by federal, state, or local law, regulation, license, or permit to maintain on -site staffing for the care, supervision, or assistance of occupants. The fee applies when Fire Department personnel are requested or utilized to assist in the lifting, repositioning, or movement of an occupant, and the request is not associated with a medical emergency requiring emergency medical treatment or transport. The fee is intended to recover a portion of the costs incurred by the Fire Department for personnel, apparatus, equipment usage, and unit availability, and shall not be construed as a substitute for required facility staffing, training, or equipment. Assessment of the fee does not relieve the facility of its obligation to comply with all applicable care, staffing, and safety requirements under law.
Recreation and Parks Services has proposed changes to existing fees in the following sections E-82, E-83, E-84, and E -88. All requested changes come from comprehensive research and surveys of similar fees, services and facilities in surrounding municipalities, the pro posed changes reflect the current industry standards.
Park Facility Rental – Park Amenities – Tournaments (per day) – Jastro Park -Pickleball Tournament – E- 82-10
Recreation and Parks services is requesting the addition of a new fee for Jastro Park – Pickleball Tournament. This new fee is based on a comprehensive fee survey of similar facilities in surrounding municipalities; the proposed rate is reflective of current industry standards.
Park Facility Rental – Park Amenities – Tournaments (per day) – Beale Park -Pickleball Tournament – E- 82-10
Recreation and Parks services is requesting the addition of a new fee for Beale Park – Pickleball Tournament. This new fee is based on a comprehensive fee survey of similar facilities in surrounding municipalities; the proposed rate is reflective of current industry standards.
Water Resource Services has proposed changes to existing fees in section F-91. All requested changes are based on comprehensive full cost recalculation. A full cost recalculation had not been done since 2017, and the cost of labor and materials has drastically changed over the years.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of the resolution and the Master Fee Schedule will allow the departments that provide services for the city to recover costs for those various services. Significant Impact to the General Fund if the Fee Schedule is not updated to recover the costs.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Innovative and Efficient City Government
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. Master Fee Schedule