Scottsdale council to vote on fee increases

Scottsdale is planning increases in a number of city fees, from water and sewer rates to how much it will cost to park an RV overnight at WestWorld.

The Scottsdale City Council is scheduled to vote on these increases today.

If approved, the new fees will go into effect July 1, with the exception of the water utility rate. That 5.5 percent increase would go into effect Nov. 1.

The fees would affect Scottsdale Airport users, WestWorld renters, those seeking public information from the police and fire departments, and those looking to build or remodel a house, office or strip mall.

All residents would be affected by the combined 5 percent hike in the water, sewer and trash rates. Scottsdale estimates the monthly bill would increase $3.69 per month for the typical user.

The largest fee is for county island residents, who would be on the hook for a $1,347 charge for each Scottsdale Fire Department unit that responds to a fire or medical emergency.

There would be increases to obtain a recording of a 911 call - from $15 per CD to $16.50 per CD - or for a police employee to perform a computer search for records by name, an increase from $5 to $10.

All planning and development fees are proposed to rise 4 percent, which includes a 1.5 percent increase to offset new costs for stormwater management that were enacted in response to flooding in north Scottsdale last year.

Also today, the council will vote on whether to adopt the tentative 2008-09 budget amount of $1.4 billion, which includes $859 million in a five-year capital project budget.

The final budget is to be adopted June 3.

Scottsdale City Council

When: 5 p.m. today

Where: City Hall Kiva, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

Aviation

Scottsdale Airport's hourly rate for work requiring extra employee time would increase from $46.94 an hour to $54.14 an hour.

Fire Department

A county island resident would spend $1,347 for each fire department unit that responds to a fire or medical emergency.

Planning and development

Fees to build new houses, stores, office and industrial buildings would rise 4 percent, while development impact fees would increase 3.5 percent.

Police Department

A 911 recording, a summary of calls for service and a computer search by name are all slated for increases.

Utility bills

The typical Scottsdale resident will see water, sewer and trash bills increase a combined 5 percent, or close to $4, each month.

WestWorld

RV users will have to pay an extra $2 to park overnight, while arena and polo field rental costs are all increasing.