Visalia Municipal Code Ch. 8.60 Public Safety Service Fees

There shall be charged in connection with the provision of the city of enumerated public safety services, a fee or charge sufficient to recover the costs reasonably borne by the city in providing said public safety services. Said public safety services which shall be subject to a fee or charge shall be set by resolution of the city council and shall include only public safety services which the city council finds are provided to small segments of the public. The amount of such fee or charge shall be determined by the city manager or his designee and shall be approved and set by resolution of the city council, from time to time, and in no event shall such fee or charge exceed the costs reasonably borne by city in providing such public safety services. (Prior code § 4570)

The costs reasonably borne by city providing such public safety services shall be determined by the city manager or his designee by reference to the following criteria:

A. All applicable direct costs including, but not limited to salaries, wages, fringe benefits, services and supplies, operational expenses, contracted services, special supplies, and any other direct expense incurred;

B. All applicable indirect costs including, but not limited to building maintenance and operation, equipment operation, communication, printing and reproduction and like indirect expenses;

C. General overhead, expressed as a percentage, distributing and charging the expenses of the city council, city manager, finance department, city treasurer, city clerk, city attorney, police department, fire department, and all other staff and support services;

D. Departmental overhead, expressed as a percentage, distributing and charging the cost of each department head and his or her supporting expenses. (Prior code § 4571)

A. In order to qualify for a state grant under the vehicle impoundment program of the State of California Office of Traffic Safety and to create a self-sustaining program to continue after the grant ends, it is necessary to create a traffic offender fund. All fees and charges collected for the impoundment of vehicles for a period of thirty (30) days or longer pursuant to this section shall be deposited into said fund. All expenditures from said fund shall only be appropriated for the purposes of the traffic offender program for use in the enforcement of, education for, and prosecution of suspended or revoked driving privileges, unlicensed drivers and persons driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Qualifying expenditures may include, but are not limited to, the purchase of equipment, contractual services, materials and supplies, and any other technology necessary to prosecute the case and for personnel costs.

B. Pursuant to Sections 8.60.010 and 8.60.020 of this chapter, a fee for the impoundment of vehicles for a minimum of thirty (30) days under the program shall be established from time to time. (Ord. 9703 § 1, 1997)