Riverside Municipal Code Ch. 3.30 Fee and Service Charge Revenue/Cost Comparison System

A. It is the intent of the City Council to require the ascertainment and recovery of costs reasonably borne from fees, charges and regulatory license fees levied therefor in providing the regulations, products or services hereinafter enumerated in this chapter.

B. The fees and service charge revenue/cost comparison procedures set forth herein provide 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.

C. The adoption of this chapter is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq.), because it approves and sets forth a procedure for determining fees for the purpose of meeting the operating expenses of City departments, as set forth in Public Resources Code § 21080(b)(8)(A).

(Ord. 7757, § 44, 2026; Ord. 7065 1, 2010; Ord. 5992 § 1, 1992; Ord. 5891 § 1, 1991)

Except where the context requires otherwise, the definitions given in this section govern the construction of this chapter.

Costs reasonably borne as used and ordered to be applied in this chapter are to consist 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 restricted to, building maintenance and operations, equipment maintenance and operations, communications expenses, computer costs, printing and reproduction, vehicle expenses, insurance, debt service, and like expenses when distributed on an accounted and documented rational proration system.

3. Fixed asset recovery expenses, consisting of depreciation charges calculated on the current estimated cost of replacement, divided by the approximate life expectancy of the fixed asset. A further additional charge to make up the difference between book value depreciation not previously recovered and reserved in cash and the full cost of replacement, also shall be calculated and considered a cost so as to recover such unrecovered costs between book value and cost of replacement over the remaining life of the asset.

4. General overhead, expressed as a percentage, distributing and charging the expenses of all staff and support services provided to the entire City organization. Overhead shall be prorated between tax-financed services and fee-financed services on the basis of said percentage so that each of taxes and fees and charges shall proportionately defray such overhead costs.

5. Departmental overhead, expressed as a percentage, distributing and charging the cost of each department head and his or her supporting expenses as enumerated in subdivisions 1, 2, 3 and 4 of this definition.

6. Debt service costs, consisting of repayment of principal, payment of interest, and trustee fees and administrative expenses for all applicable bond, certificate, note or securities issues or loans of whatever nature or kind. Any required coverage factors or required or established reserves beyond basic debt service costs also shall be considered a cost if required by covenant within any securities ordinance, resolution, indenture or general law applicable to the City.

(Ord. 7757, § 45, 2026; Ord. 7341 § 3, 2016; Ord. 7065 § 1, 2010; Ord. 5992 § 1, 1992; Ord. 5891 § 1, 1991)

A. The City Clerk, City Manager, Chief Financial Officer, and each City department head, under the direction of the City Manager, shall review annually the regulations, products and services of the City and the fees and service charges imposed by the City or recommended to be imposed by the City, and provide an adjusted fee or charge schedule to the City Council for its consideration so as to recover the percentage of costs reasonably borne as set forth in the Master Fees and Charges Schedule as necessary to provide the listed regulation, product or service:

Regulation, Product or Service

(Ord. 7752, § 1, 2025; Ord. 7736, § 1, 2025; Ord. 7728, § 1, 2025; Ord. 7713, § 1, 2025; Ord. 7681, § 1, 2024; Ord. 7656, § 1, 2023; Ord. 7654 § 1, 2023; Ord. 7538 § 1, 2020; Ord. 7458 § 1, 2019; Ord. 7446 § 1, 2018; Ord. 7386 § 1, 2017; Ord. 7341 § 3, 2016; Ord. 7305 § 1, 2015; Ord. 7270 § 1, 2015; Ord. 7208 § 1, 2013; Ord. 7192 § 7, 2012; Ord. 7128 § 1, 2011; Ord. 7065 § 1, 2010; Ord. 6976 § 1, 2008; Ord. 6879 § 1, 2006; Ord. 6870 § 1, 2006; Ord. 6818 § 1, 2005; Ord. 6757 § 1, 2004; Ord. 6694 § 1, 2003; Ord. 6652 § 1, 2003; Ord. 6584 § 1, 2001; Ord. 6564 § 1, 2001; Ord. 6517 § 1, 2000; Ord. 6486 § 1, 1999; Ord. 6469 § 1, 1999; Ord. 6454 § 1, 1998; Ord. 6430 § 1, 1998; Ord. 6370 § 1, 1997; Ord. 6361 § 1, 1997; Ord. 6285 § 1, 1996; Ord. 6225 § 1, 1995; Ord. 6218 § 1, 1995; Ord. 6199 § 1, 1995; Ord. 6171 § 1, 1994; Ord. 6132 § 1, 1994; Ord. 6055 § 1, 1993; Ord. 6030 § 1, 1993; Ord. 6025 § 1, 1992; Ord. 6017 § 1, 1992; Ord. 6004 § 1, 1992; Ord. 5992 § 1, 1992; Ord. 5963 § 1, 1991; Ord. 5957 § 1, 1991; Ord. 5891 § 1, 1991)

The City Council shall, at least annually in conjunction with the City annual budget process, receive at a regularly scheduled meeting oral and written presentations concerning fees and charges proposed to be decreased, increased or deleted. At least ten days prior to such public meeting, the City Manager shall make available to the public appropriate data indicating the cost, or estimated cost, required to support the fees and charge for which changes are proposed to be made or fees or charges imposed. The City Manager also shall provide a summary of the present fee and charge schedules and those proposed at such annual public meeting.

(Ord. 7065 § 1, 2010; Ord. 5992 § 1, 1992; Ord. 5891 § 1, 1991)