Tax and Fee Increases: June 27 Santee City Council Agenda Summary

Below is a summary of what is due to occur at this week's Council meeting. Santee Patch regularly livestreams video of Council meetings and reports on important happenings, so check back for the lowdown on the meeting.

The next  begins Wed., June 27, 2012 at 7 pm:

Public Hearings

In Feb., 2011 the City Council decided to perform a cost allocation plan and comprehensive study of city user fees. A report on the newly suggested fee schedule has been returned and the council must discuss and vote whether to confirm the new prices. The new fees could result in ans estimated $471, 690 average annual increase in cost recovery for the city. This is the final public hearing for this topic.

Continued Business

The council voted during the April 25 meeting to draft ballot measures that would increase hotel taxes and fire protection fees in Santee. They are presenting those ballot measures at the June 27 meeting.

The two tax/fee increase proposals would appear on the upcoming November ballots. The council said they are necessary- the City of Santee's . $3.4 million has been taken from since 2008, and the has and will continue to take a bite out the budget.

The first tax increase would be the city's Transient Occupancy Tax, which applies to guests of hotels, a raise from 6 to 10 percent is suggested in the draft.

Currently Santee has the lowest TOT in the county, 6 percent, versus a high of 13 percent in Solana Beach. The city estimates revenue of $116,300 from TOT this fiscal year. An increase in TOT tax rate would require a majority vote by the public.

Also under consideration is an increase in the rate of the City's special parcel tax for fire protection services (aka Fire Benefit Fee), in the draft materials the fee is increased by 50 percent.

This fee is currently $41 annually per "dwelling unit" and commercial and industrial units. It would rise to $61.50. The city estimates $923,000 in revenue from the fee this fiscal year. In order to increase the FBF a two-thirds super majority of the public would have to vote in favor.

Each measure would cost about $26,000 to $30,000 to put on the ballot.

If you want to publicly comment on any topic, fill out a speaker slip at the beginning of the meeting.

For more detailed information see the full council agenda in the media box or download here.

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