Bakersfield Municipal Code Ch. 3.70 Cost Recovery System

Sections: 3.70.010 Intent. 3.70.020 Definitions. 3.70.030 Schedule of fees. 3.70.040 Procedure for setting fees. 3.70.050 Provision of data. 3.70.060 Appeal.

• Prior ordinance history: Ords. 3052, 3088, 3170, 3228, 3337, 3359, 3536, 3546, 3669, 3783 and 3794.

A. It is the intent of the city council to require the ascertainment and recovery of costs reasonably incurred by the city from fees levied therefor in providing the regulation, products or services set by city council resolution.

B. The cost recovery system set forth in this chapter provides a mechanism for ensuring that fees adopted by the city for services rendered do not exceed the reasonable estimated cost for providing the services for which the fees are charged. (Ord. 3825 § 1, 1998)

A. Costs reasonably incurred, as used in this chapter shall consist of some or all of the following elements:

1. All applicable direct costs including, but not limited to, salaries, wages, overtime, employee fringe
benefits, services and supplies, maintenance and operation expenses, contracted services, special supplies,
and any other direct expense incurred.

2. All applicable indirect costs including, but not limited to, building maintenance and operations,
equipment maintenance and operations, communications expenses, computer costs, printing and
reproduction, vehicle expense, insurance, debt service and like expenses when distributed on an accounted
and documented rational proration system.

3. Fixed asset recovery expenses, consisting of depreciation of fixed assets, and additional fixed asset
expense recovery charges calculated on the current estimated cost of replacement, divided by the
approximate life expectancy of the fixed asset.

4. Administrative overhead, expressed as a single percentage, distributing and charging the expenses of
the mayor and city council, city attorney office, city administration, city clerk office, management information
services, finance department, human resources division, and all departmental operating expenses. Overhead
shall be apportioned between tax-supported services and fee-supported services so that each of taxes and
fees and charges shall proportionately defray such overhead costs.

B. Fees means all charges set forth by the city council in the Master Fee Schedule resolution, but does not include rates or charges for the following enterprise services: water, sewer, refuse, airport, and off-street parking.

C. Tax supported services means all services financed with general fund monies.

D. Fee supported services means all services financed by charging a fee for service. (Ord. 3825 § 1, 1998)

A. The Master Fee Schedule shall be reviewed, at least biennially, by each city department head, the city manager, and the finance director. As a part of this review process and if determined to be necessary by the city manager, the biennial review shall also consist of an audit of the Master Fee Schedule. Based on the biennial review or audit, a revised Master Fee Schedule shall be submitted to the city council for consideration in order to allow the city to recover the cost reasonably incurred to provide each regulation, product, or service identified in the Master Fee Schedule.

B. Nothing stated in subsection A herein shall prevent city staff from recommending or the city council from adopting a revised Master Fee Schedule more often then biennially if it is determined, in the judgment of the city manager, that a gross inequity would result by not revising the Master Fee Schedule prior to the biennial review or audit thereof. (Ord. 3825 § 1, 1998)

Pursuant to California Government Code Sections 66016 and 66018, the city clerk shall cause notice to be provided as set forth in California Government Code Sections 66016, 66018 and 6062a, and the city council periodically shall receive at a regularly scheduled meeting oral and written presentations concerning fees as defined in Section 3.70.020, proposed to be increased or added. Such notice, oral and written presentation, and public meeting shall be provided prior to the city council taking any action on any new or increased fees. At least one such public hearing shall be held prior to the adoption of a Master Fee Schedule. (Ord. 3825 § 1, 1998)

Pursuant to the California Government Code, at least ten days prior to the required public hearing set out herein, the city manager shall make available to the public appropriate data indicating the cost, or estimated cost, required to support the fees for which changes are proposed to be made, or which are proposed to be added. The city manager shall also provide a summary of the present fee schedules and those proposed at such public hearing. A general explanation of the changes propounded shall also be published per the requirements of California Government Code Section 6062a. (Ord. 3825 § 1, 1998)

A. Should any person believe that any fee set by the city council in the Master Fee Schedule is in excess of the costs reasonably incurred, then said person may, no later than five days after said fees are set by the city council, make written objection to the city council setting forth the grounds for dissatisfaction, whereupon the council shall hear said objections at a regular meeting no later than thirty days following the filing of the objection with the city clerk. The appellant shall be given written notice no less than five days prior to said hearing. The council may, upon said hearing, sustain, suspend or overrule the decision setting the specified fee.

B. The provisions of subsection A shall be in addition to any state law that may apply to any statute of limitations to commence a judicial action to attack or set aside any ordinance or resolution adopting or modifying any fee. (Ord. 3825 § 1, 1998)

The Bakersfield Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 5214, passed April 8, 2026.

Disclaimer: The city clerk has the official version of the Bakersfield Municipal Code. Users should contact the city clerk for ordinances passed subsequent to the ordinance cited above.

City Website: www.bakersfieldcity.us City Telephone: (661) 326-3000

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