Master Fee Schedule Update
Emily Combs, Director of Finance
Mubeen Qader, Deputy Director of Finance
Antonio Bañuelos, Accounting Manager
1 City Council Meeting – May 19, 2026
Agenda
2 • Recommended Action
• Updated Fees
• Next Steps
• Questions
Recommended Action
HOLD a public hearing; and INTRODUCE an
Ordinance (first reading) establishing certain fees
for the proposed Master Fee Schedule.
3 Why We Update the Master Fee Schedule
Ensure fees keep pace with
the City’s cost of providing
services, processing permits,
and performing inspections
Provide all departments a
regular opportunity to review,
clarify, and reorganize their
fee sections
Improve transparency and
usability for both the
community and City staff
Implement required updates,
including alignment with
State laws such as AB 602
4 Overview of the 2026 Fee Updates
• Fee schedule adjusted to reflect changes in the Employment Cost Index (ECI) • Significant reorganization and clarity improvements across multiple departments
• Fire Department updates to align with the 2025 California Fire Code, including new, revised, and retired permit categories
• Recreation: Resident rates unchanged; new non-resident tier and Tool Library fees introduced
• City-wide hourly labor rates updated to include all approved positions • Enhanced usability: new cover page and new Table of Contents for easier navigation
5 Department Highlights
• Fire Department:
• New and revised permits (Energy Storage Systems,
Fumigation/Insecticidal Fogging, Cannabis clarification) • New tiered structure for scrap tire storage, including small-site category
• Removal of obsolete categories and outdated permit column; simplified O4 fees into one capped tier
• Recreation:
• New non-resident tier (25% above resident rate)
• New Tool Library fines
• Updated Memorial Auditorium and Civic Center Plaza rental rates 6 Department Highlights (continued)
• Community Development:
• New Tobacco Retail License fee suite
• Section reorganized for clarity
• Impact Fees: Continuing year 3 of Council-approved 4-year phased-in adjustments
• Police / Code Enforcement:
• Taxi permit and alcohol/tobacco licensing fees reassigned to Code Enforcement
• Decoy-operation fees remain with Police as they are Police-run functions
• Public Works:
• Updated the Encroachment section to improve clarity and organization.
7 Fee Updates: +4.1%
8 Employment Cost Index
from: http://www.bls.gov/data/
Series Id: CIU3010000000000I
Not seasonally adjusted
Series Title:
Ownership: State and local government workers
Component: Total compensation
Occupation: All workers
Industry: All workers
Subcategory: All workers
Area: United States (National)
Periodicity: Index number
NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED
Year Qtr1 Qtr2 Qtr3 Qtr4
2017 131.6 131.9 133.0 134.2
2018 134.6 134.9 136.0 137.7
2019 138.3 138.6 139.7 141.7
2020 142.2 142.5 143.6 144.9
2021 145.4 145.8 146.9 148.6
2022 150.0 150.7 154.4 155.8
2023 157.3 157.9 160.3 165.9
2024 167.4 168.1 171.2 169.4
2025 170.9 171.6 174.4 176.4
2026 177.9 178.6 181.6
Difference 7.2
% Change 4.1%
Appendix A: Employment Cost Index
Total compensation for State and local
government workers in All industries
and occupations, Index
User Fees Updated in
2026
Year % Change
2026 4.10%
2025 3.60%
2024 5.00%
2023 6.40%
2022 9.10%
New Fees – Community Services
9 Description New Proposed Fees
COMMUNITY SERVICES - RECREATION
Rental: Memorial Auditorium Main Floor
Deposit--$1500 minimum (may be higher) New 1,500.00
Friday - Sunday, hourly (Half Main Floor) New 321.00
Monday – Thursday, hourly (Half Main Floor) New 257.00
Park Reservations: Civic Center Plaza
Deposit--$1500 minimum (may be higher) New 500.00
Friday - Sunday, hourly (Half Main Floor) New 63.00
COMMUNITY SERVICES - RECREATION - TOOL LIBRARY
Richmond Tool Library
Fine for Tier 1 (valued under $25) overdue tools, weekly per item New 1.00 Fine for Tier 2 (valued $25-$74.99) overdue tools, weekly per item New 2.00 Fine for Tier 3 (valued $75 - $199) overdue tools, weekly per item New 5.00 Fine for Tier 4 (valued $200 - $399) overdue tools, weekly per item New 8.00 Fine for Tier 5 (valued over $400) overdue tools, weekly per item New 15.00 Replacement charge per item lost, damaged, and unreturned New Cost Fine for items returned in poor, dirty, condition New 5.00 Mobile Tool Library
Fine for Tier 1 (valued under $25) overdue tools, weekly per item New 1.00 Fine for Tier 2 (valued $25-$74.99) overdue tools, weekly per item New 2.00 Fine for Tier 3 (valued $75 - $199) overdue tools, weekly per item New 5.00 Fine for Tier 4 (valued $200 - $399) overdue tools, weekly per item New 8.00 Fine for Tier 5 (valued over $400) overdue tools, weekly per item New 15.00 Replacement charge per item lost, damaged, and unreturned New Cost Fine for items returned in poor, dirty, condition New 5.00 New Fees – Fire Department
10 Description New Proposed Fees
FIRE DEPARTMENT
PREVENTION SERVICES DIVISION
Fire & Life Safety Inspections (does not include applicable operational permits) Other Occupancy (F/H/L/S)
O 20,001+ sq. feet New 905
New Fees – Community Development - Planning
11 Description New Proposed Fees
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - PLANNING
Tobacco Retail License
Initial Tobacco Retail License Application (F) NEW 1,460.00 Annual Tobacco Retail License (F) NEW 730.00
Tobacco Retail Appeal (F) NEW 1,168.00
Revocation (F) NEW 2,044.00
Suspension (F) NEW 1,460.00
Fiscal Impact of Fee Updates
12 Departments
Estimated Additional
Revenue Generated
Other 1,316
Police 8,742
Fire 27,661
Public Works 47,363
Community Development 374,238
Grand Total $459,321
Next Steps
• Second Reading of Ordinance and Resolution approval on May 26 or June 2, 2026 • City-wide User Fee Study Underway (Estimated Completion: Spring 2027) • The City has retained Willdan to conduct a comprehensive User Fee Study for all City departments.
• Purpose: Modernize City's fee structure, improve transparency, and better align fees with actual cost of providing services.
• Traffic Impact Fee study
• Completion of Long-Range Transportation Study by end of FY 2025-26 • Updated Transportation Impact Fee study to City Council by December 2026 • Storm Drainage Rate Adjustment Study in 2027
• Storm Rate Adjustment taken to voters in Spring 2027
13. Thank you
Questions/Comments?
14 Recommended Action
HOLD a public hearing; and INTRODUCE an
Ordinance (first reading) establishing certain fees for the proposed Master Fee Schedule.
15