Form revised February 20, 2008
2009-2010 BUDGET LEGISLATION FISCAL NOTE
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Department: |
Contact Person/Phone: |
DOF Analyst/Phone: |
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Fire |
Chris Santos/ 386-1478 |
Aimee Strasko Carlisle/ 386-4090 |
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Legislation Title: |
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AN ORDINANCE relating to the Building and Construction Codes, Subtitle VI Fire Code, amending Seattle Municipal Code Sections 22.602.045, 22.602.050, 22.602.070 and 22.602.080 to add, delete, and revise fees and related provisions for various Seattle Fire Department permits, certification examinations, inspections, plan reviews, and fire guard services. |
· Summary of the Legislation:
The legislation proposes fees increases of 19% in several program areas of the Fire Prevention Division to more fully recover the cost of issuing permits, conducting certification examinations for persons working on fire protection system inspections, and for code compliance inspections when multiple re-inspections are required. The increased fees would result in additional revenue of approximately $406,340 and would bring the overall Fire Prevention Division fee recovery rate to 80%. As part of the legislation, several new permit categories are proposed to reflect current business practices.
Background: The Seattle Fire Department (SFD) proposes to increase fees by 19 percent for the majority of all permits, certification examinations, and compliance inspections when multiple re-inspections are required to resolve fire code violations. The proposed increase reflects the growth in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Washington since the last fee revision in 2005. The CPI is the index that is referenced for establishing the cost of living adjustment for Local 27 members, who provide the majority of labor for SFD’s fee recovery services. Fees for plan review services and construction inspections are not being raised at this time because they currently have an 82 to 93 percent recovery rate.
· Please check one of the following:
____ This legislation does not have any financial implications.
__X_ This legislation has financial implications. Please complete all relevant sections that follow.
For budget legislation that changes revenue (e.g., fees, taxes, etc.), please provide detail on each revenue-producing item that is being changed, when it was last changed, and how the item’s new overall cost compares with similar costs charged elsewhere in the region.
Summary of Changes to Revenue Generated Specifically From This Legislation:
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Revenue Source |
2009 Proposed |
2010 Proposed |
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Certification, Events, Code Compliance Permits
Article 80 – Hazardous Materials
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$166,025
$240,315
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$166,025
$240,315
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Total Fees and Charges Resulting From Passage of This Ordinance |
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$406,340 |
$406,340 |
Fire Department permit fees and fees for construction inspections and plan review services fees were last raised January 1, 2005. Increases at that time were significant, ranging from 33 to 43 percent for most permits. Fees for certification, new construction inspections and plan review services were increased 71 percent. No increases are proposed in this legislation for the construction inspections and plan review services.
Making comparisons of permit fees among neighboring Washington jurisdictions is challenging, as most neighboring fire departments do not offer the same level and range of regulatory and inspection programs that are conducted in Seattle. When compared to Fire Departments with more similar program levels, such as Oakland, CA, San Jose, CA and Phoenix, AZ a snapshot comparison of fees shows a more comparable range of fees.
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Permit Title |
Proposed Seattle, WA |
Oakland, CA Current |
San Jose, CA Current |
Phoenix, AZ Current |
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Assembly with occupant load of 300 |
$399 |
$277 |
$354+ |
$135 |
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Tent or canopy |
$199 |
$227 |
$280 |
$270 to $540 |
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LPG storage or use |
$277 to $396 |
$ 76 |
$348 |
Info not available |
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Pyrotechnics |
$396 |
$303 |
$499 |
$270 |
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Non-compliant reinspection |
$ 159 |
$205 |
$140 |
$75 |
Anticipated Total Revenue from Entire Program, Including Changes Resulting From This Legislation:
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Fund Name and Number
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Revenue Source |
Total 2009 Revenue |
Total 2009 and 2010 Anticipated Revenue from Entire Program |
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General Subfund 00100 |
Certification, Events, Code Compliance Permits |
$713,764 |
$1,427,528
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|
General Subfund 00100 |
Article 80 – Hazardous Materials |
$1,825,315 |
$3,650,630
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|
General Subfund 00100 |
Construction Inspections |
$1,092,975 |
$2,185,950 |
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General Subfund 00100 |
Plan Review Fees |
$503,887 |
$1,007,774 |
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TOTAL |
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$4,135,941 |
$8,271,882 |
· What is the financial cost of not implementing this legislation?
Failure to implement the legislation would require that personnel and services be reduced, or that the general fund supplement the cost to provide these services in the amount of $386,079 annually.
· Conflicts with regulatory requirements, or other potential costs if the legislation is not implemented) Fire prevention regulatory permits are mandated through the International Fire Code, adopted as the minimum standard in Washington State. These permits serve to protect public safety by establishing minimum conditions for the safeguarding of people and property from hazardous materials and activities. Reducing these fee-supported permit regulatory services could contribute to reductions in public safety.
· What are the possible alternatives to the legislation that could achieve the same or similar objectives? None. Reducing these fee-supported activities would not provide an equivalent level of public safety
· Is the legislation subject to public hearing requirements? No.
· Other Issues:
Please list attachments to the fiscal note below: