CITY OF SANTA MARIA
2026 User Fee Schedule
JULY 7, 2026
Background
• User Fees – Personal Choice Services
– Customer is identifiable and the service is
measurable
– Benefits an individual or group
– Examples: Planning, Facility Rentals
• Cost of Services (User Fee) Study 2020
• User Fee Cost Recovery Level Policy
User Fee Update
• Fee Study Update Report
– Prepared by Revenue Cost Specialists (RCS)
– Basis for the update was the Cost of Services Study
2020
– On June 2, 2026, City Council adopted new fees
effective August 1, 2026, except:
• S-191 – Solid Waste Extra Haul
• S-192 – Overloaded Solid Waste Container
• S-198 – Private Fire Protection Connection
• S-222A – Liquid Waste Disposal
• On June 2, 2026, City Council also established new
rental fees for the Japanese Community Center,
effective July 1, 2026
User Fee Update
• Appendix E – Detail of Recreation & Parks Facility & Field Rental Fees
– Finance and Recreation & Parks met to discuss the calculation of the new fees
– Calculation should have rounded down to the nearest whole dollar, as they have historically been
• Reduces administrative burden of transacting with coins at counters User Fee Update
• Special Event Police Services Billing Rate
– Events that require staffing during an employee’s regular schedule are typically charged the Outside Billing Rate – Santa Maria Police Department (SMPD) believes it can provide better service to non-profit and for-profit organizations holding special events when employees can be assigned on an overtime basis outside of their regular schedule
• Use of Outside Billing Rate would be inappropriate
• Finance staff recommends a methodology to calculate a fee for policing services based on the overtime rate for the positions assigned plus cost recovery for operating expenses.
• This methodology excludes cost recovery of benefits and overhead. • New methodology implemented along with other billing rates that support the 2026 User Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2026 Recommendations
1. Hold a public hearing regarding the addition and
update of the Citywide User Fees identified in the Fee
Study Update and 2026 User Fee Schedule.
2. Adopt a Resolution approving the addition and update of Citywide User Fees identified in the Fee Study
Update and 2026 User Fee Schedule.