City of Somerville header
File #: 191650    Version: 1
Type: Mayor's Request Status: Approved
File created: 6/9/2011 In control: City Council
On agenda: 6/13/2011 Final action: 6/23/2011
Enactment date: 6/23/2011 Enactment #: 191650
Title: City Clerk submitting recommendations for adjustments to certain fees charged by the City Clerk’s Office, effective July 1, 2011.
Code sections: Appropriation/Budget -

  Agenda Text

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City Clerk submitting recommendations for adjustments to certain fees charged by the City Clerks Office, effective July 1, 2011.

 

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Official Text

To the Honorable Board:

 

                     In this communication I present recommendations for adjustments to certain fees charged by the City Clerk’s Office, effective July 1, 2011. Our Office collects fees for more than forty licenses, permits, records and certificates. These fees generate approximately $400,000 in revenues annually for the city.

 

These recommendations are consistent with the municipal costing principals used by this Office. In our municipal costing study, we looked closely at the costs to the city of processing all license and permit applications, and we tried to adjust the fees to cover the expenses involved in the processing of each application.

 

                                                                                    Current                     Proposed                     

Resident Records/Permits                     Fee                                          Fee                                          Impact

Marriage Application                                          $  45                                          $  50                                          $  2,750

Delayed/Amended/Out of                     $  45                                          $  50                                          $     125

  State Vital Record

Dog License                                                               $  25                                          $  30                                          $  2,500

Dog License-Spayed/Neutered                     $  15                                          $  20                                          $  5,000

Bottle Redemption Center                     $500                                          $550                                          $         0

Bus Route                                                               $500                                          $550                                          $         0

Extended Operating Hours                     $500                                          $550                                          $     500

Flammables                                                               $500                                          $550                                          $  2,500

Garage                                                                                    $500                                          $550                                          $  4,500

Grant of Location                                          $500                                          $550                                          $     600

Hawker Peddler-1st license                     $150                                          $150                                          $         0

Hawker Peddler-2nd license up                     $  50                                          $100                                          $     500

Lodging House                                                               $500                                          $550                                          $  2,000

Used Car Dealer                                          $500                                          $550                                          $  2,500

TOTAL                                                                                                                                                   $23,475

 

As in the past, these and all other business license fees are considered application fees, payable upon submission of the application, and not refundable. This is in recognition of the fact that the costs of processing a license are incurred whether or not the license is ultimately granted. It is important that the city be reimbursed for these costs, even in those rare cases when licenses are not granted.

 

I am available at your convenience to answer any questions you may have. I appreciate your consideration of this matter.