Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

Post Office Box 1340
Columbus, Georgia, 31902-1340
(706) 653-4013
fax (706) 653-4016

Council Members

Agenda Item #____





Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting



September 11, 2007



Agenda Report #_ _





TO: Mayor and Councilors



SUBJECT: Proposed fee schedule for the Planning Department



INITIATED BY: Planning Department

________________________________________________________________________________

________





Recommendation: Approval is requested to assess fees for various Planning

Department operations.



Background: In February, 2007, the Planning Department submitted its Strategic

Action Plan which outlined the department's future needs and objectives. One

of the strategic goals called for the maintaining of a professional staff,

which would require the hiring of additional planning personnel. As part of

our proposed budget for fiscal year 2008, three additional planning positions

were proposed, mainly to help address the potential impact of BRAC and other

developments on the community. Realizing that at this time the General Fund

could not support this request, the department proposed increasing certain fees

to help pay for these positions.



Analysis: The only fee presently being charged is for rezoning applications.

All other items are being performed at the city's cost. Staff has already had

direct conversation with the Greater Columbus Home Builders Association

concerning these proposed fee increases. Attached is a copy of the letter from

the organization in support of this action. The Planning Department is

proposing the adoption of these fees by Council and an implementation date of

November 1, 2007



Financial Considerations: The revenue generated from the proposed fees would

provide for the hiring of this additional personnel, while offsetting the cost

of development review. The collection of these funds would then be placed in a

dedicated account for the sole purpose of funding these positions. As with

other accounts of this type, the hiring of new staff members would only occur

when the funding is made available.



Legal Considerations: The City Attorney has reviewed this action



Recommendations/ Actions: Implement a fee schedule for Planning Department

operations.

Attachments


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