Council Opposes Proposed Building Activity Fee Hike

The Lakewood City Council is expected to vote on increasing fees for parks and recreation services and fire code permit fees under a new plan city officials unveiled during a study session to help close about a $1 million budget gap.

But councilmembers opposed increasing fees related to building activity.

Dave Bugher, assistant city manager, said parks and fire permit fees would likely be voted on next week but planning and building would wait for at least another month given the council's recent opposition.

The proposed changes will bring in about $168,916, according to city documents.

The city hasn't raised its fees for building activity for years, Bugher said, prompting city officials to recommend an increase. Councilman Jason Whalen said, however, it's just not the right time.

"We want to encourage development in Lakewood," Whalen said.

Bugher presented statistics showing how Lakewood's building permit and other fees related to development were lower compared with other cities like Auburn and Federal Way. Lakewood pays less than half in impact fees compared with Auburn.

The statistical argument didn't fly well.

"To stay in parity with folks, perhaps, but not now," Whalen added.

General Business License fees were proposed to increase from $45 to $65, netting an additional $14,216, and general permit fees would net about $100,000 in 2012 based on last year's level of permitting activity.

Lakewood Mayor Douglas Richardson said to be careful about what they are prioritizing when it comes to raising fees and what the impact could be. Residents could soon be asked to vote on a .

"We could be diluting our own opportunity to be successful if the TBD goes to voters," Richardson said.

Incoming Councilwoman Marie Barth said they must be mindful of raising fees across the board.

"If we blanket raise, I think you're going to have some resistance to that," Barth said.

Parks and recreation fee increases

Under the new plan, launching a boat at American Lake (increasing from $10 to $15) and special use permits (from $500 to $1,000) represent 86 percent of the total projected increase. The total 2012 revenue impact in parks and recreation is $35,700, according to city documents.

Mary Dodsworth, parks and recreation director, said the reason for the additional fees are to cover direct costs for and other areas. The Lakewood Parks Advisory board approved the recommended increases in the January meeting.

West Pierce Fire and Rescue proposes to increase Lakewood fees so that they are the same as University Place's. The new fee would generate about $9,000 in additional revenue. Fire Department fees cover inspections, firework displays, fire alarm inspections, standpipes, fire sprinkler systems and false alarms.

The increase in fire service fees is between 15 percent and 20 percent, city documents state.

Councilmembers appeared more inclined to approve an increase in parks and recreation 2012 fees than the city's plan to bump economic development fees to help plug the city's budget deficit.