The Avondale City Council meeting on June 16, 2025, focused on proposed fee changes for the fiscal year 2026, following a comprehensive fee study conducted by MGT Consulting Group. The study aimed to assess and update the city's user fees, which had not been revised for many years, with some fees remaining unchanged for over a decade.

The finance and budget director presented the findings, highlighting that the city currently has 764 fees across various departments. The study specifically examined fees related to development services, engineering services, and fire and medical services, which together account for 60% of all fees. It was revealed that many of these fees were not adequately recovering the costs of the services provided. For instance, development services were recovering only 85% of costs, engineering services 62%, and fire and medical services just 43%. This shortfall means that significant amounts are being subsidized by the general fund.

To address these issues, the council is considering incremental fee adjustments rather than large-scale changes. Recommendations include adding new fees, eliminating outdated ones, and consolidating fees to simplify the fee structure for residents and businesses. For example, the proposal suggests consolidating multiple electrical permit fees into a single fee of $112, which would cover the full cost of service.

The council discussed the importance of maintaining competitive pricing while ensuring that fees reflect the actual costs of services. They also emphasized the need for regular reviews of fees to prevent long periods without adjustments. The proposed changes will be subject to public notice and feedback, with a council vote scheduled for July 7, 2025. If approved, the new fees will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Overall, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to improving financial sustainability and service accessibility while engaging with the community to ensure transparency in the fee-setting process.