Camarillo City Council
AGENDA REPORT
Date: January 12, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Submitted by: Mark Uribe, Director of Finance
Subject: Award of Contract for Comprehensive User Fee Update – Matrix Consulting Group
BACKGROUND
It is generally accepted in California that cities are granted the authority to impose user fees and regulatory fees for services and activities they provide through provisions of the State Constitution. User fees may not exceed the cost of performing the service.
The City conducted a comprehensive user fee analysis in 2019 to determine costs of providing the various services for which a user fee is charged. Each year since, the City has increased the User Fees to reflect increases in labor costs to provide City services.
The updated fees are adopted each year by resolution.
This recommended contract with Matrix Consulting will initiate a new Comprehensive User Fee study that will evaluate our existing user fees and determine the updated costs for providing those various services.
DISCUSSION
Staff issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) on August 28, 2025 inviting qualified firms to submit proposals to conduct the City’s Comprehensive Fee Study. City staff assembled an internal review panel that consisted of staff members from the departments of Administrative Services, Public Works, Human Resources, Community Development, and Finance to review the submissions. The panel evaluated all qualified firms based on the firm’s qualifications, relevant experience and references, proposed project team, understanding the approach to the project, and cost.
The City received three proposals and after careful consideration by the review team, the City is recommending the approval of a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Matrix Consulting in the amount of $51,200.00 for the term of January 14, 2026, through January 13, 2029, with the option to extend for up to one (1) additional two (2) year period.
Award of Contract for Comprehensive User Fee Update
January 12, 2026
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Matrix Consulting was founded in 2003 and has worked with over 1,800 government agencies, conducting cost-of-service and management studies. They recently worked with the cities of Thousand Oaks and Agoura Hills on citywide user fee studies. The firm’s experience with local governments demonstrates their ability to comprehensively understand the project requirements and produce a comprehensive and complete user fee study.
In order to determine the updated costs for our fees, the consultant will conduct workshops with key City personnel and analyze the direct and indirect operational cost of each fee-supported service offered by the City. Once the study is complete and costs have been determined, staff will present recommended fees for City Council consideration during a public hearing.
FISCAL IMPACT
An appropriation of $56,320 for an agreement with Matrix Consulting for the user fee study update in Finance Department Account No. 101-1501-415.32-01 from available General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance is required.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute Professional Services Agreement no. 2026-1 for Comprehensive User Fee Study services in the amount of $51,200.00;
2. Authorize a 10% contingency in the amount of $5,120.00 for unforeseen additional services for a total Agreement not-to-exceed amount of $56,320.00;
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute future amendments with Matrix Consulting for unforeseen additional services up to the authorized contingency amount, provided any increase does not exceed the approved contingency amount; and
4. Authorize the Finance Department to increase General Fund appropriations by $56,320.
ATTACHMENTS
1. CC Agreement 2026-1
REFERENCE MATERIALS – AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY HALL None