Planning fees to increase Jan. 1

Carson City planning fees will increase Jan. 1 to keep pace with the cost of staff time and reviews.

Planning staff contracted with Maximus, Inc., a government consultant, to study the costs of fee-related services provided by the department.

The study found the city was recovering a mere 4.3 percent of its actual costs to provide planning services-- significantly less than the range for many other western cities and counties. The study estimated the city fails to recover more than $800,000 in costs.

By increasing fees, the city will be able to recoup some of those costs, city staff said.

City supervisors approved the fee increases Thursday.

"Those fees that are paid for by those users of those services certainly need to form a base to ensure those needs and services are there when they need them," Mayor Ray Masayko said.

Beginning in January, fees will increase the first step, followed by another increase January 2004. The increases will begin to net the city an average of $150,000 a year after they all take effect.

Examples of increased fees include:

-- administrative permits, $375 in 2003 to $500 in 2004

-- appeals, $25 in 2003 to $50 in 2004

-- change of land use, $1,000 in 2003 to $1,500 in 2004

-- master plan amendment, $1,125 in 2003 to $2,000 in 2004

-- ordinance amendment, $300 in 2003 to $500 in 2004

-- minor special-use permit, $375 in 2003 to $500 in 2004

-- major special-use permit, $750 in 2003 to $1,200 in 2004