Following a public hearing, the Avalon City Council unanimously approved a new fee schedule on June 3.
No one during the public hearing.
“We did not increase the fees for recreation vehicles or transit,” said Finance Director Matthew Baker.
According to Baker, the city did not raise the park rental fee.
“Staff estimates that the new City fees, if adopted as proposed, should generate approximately $50,000 in new General Fund revenues, $1,275,000 in Harbor Fund Wharfage revenues and $67,500 in other Harbor Fund revenues,” Baker wrote in his staff report.
The council voted immediately after the public hearing.
Background
“The City charges fees for miscellaneous public services, use of City facilities and equipment rental and other activities,” Baker wrote in his staff report.
“Under State law, cities may charge fees to recoup the direct and indirect costs related to the provision of user services,” Baker wrote.
“In Fiscal Year 2024-2025, City Council approved a 3.90% increase for the majority of fees, with the exception of transit and certain recreation fees. The percentage increase was based on the consumer price index (CPI) information provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for Los Angeles County based on the latest available fiscal year information. Using the CPI as an average cost increase annually ensures the City does not unnecessarily burden the citizens with unusually large spikes in fees while also ensuring that the City continues to recoup costs associated with the increased costs to provide these services,” Baker wrote.
“For Fiscal Year 2025-2026, Staff recommends increasing the majority of fees based on the latest available calendar year consumer price index (CPI) information provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for Los Angeles County which shows an increase of 3.12% based for the twelve months ending April 2025, with the fees rounded to the nearest dollar,” Baker wrote.
“As part of its review process, City Staff is proposing to not increase certain fees related to recreation and transit, with those services to be subsidized with general tax revenues,” Baker wrote.
“The City also updated ambulance service rates to align with the County of Los Angeles General Public Ambulance rates effective July 1, 2025,” Baker wrote.
“The fee schedule has also been updated to also include the increased cross channel and cruise ship wharfage fees previously adopted by City Council, effective September 2, 2025 and January 1, 2026, respectively,” Baker wrote.
