More Than 100 City Fees Could Increase

One hundred fees charged by the city for things like permits for firearms dealers and pedicabs, solicitors and organizers of special events would be increased under a proposal tentatively approved Wednesday by the San Diego City Council's Budget Committee.

The proposal also calls for 44 levies to go down and 19 to be eliminated, with a net fiscal impact next year of about $1.1 million, said Mark Leonard, the city's chief financial officer.

The adjustments stem from a comprehensive review of municipal charges, conducted every three years to make sure they align with costs incurred by the city.

Among the fees that would go up if given final approval:

-- firearms dealer permits, from $660 to $1,755;

-- pedicab decals, from $41 to $156;

-- annual permits to hold swap meets, from $1,276 to $1,684; and

-- annual card room table fees, from $3,090 to $3,689.

Because they have to line up with costs, fees for some types of fire inspections would climb, while others would fall. That's also the case with San Diego Fire-Rescue Department technical fees for hazardous materials permits and entertainment charges from the San Diego Police Department.

The SDPD proposes to shed nearly $6,000 from the current $15,702 annual permit cost for nude outcall entertainment businesses, and lower the fee for holistic health practitioners from $1,693 to $1,104.

After Councilwoman Marti Emerald asked staff to revisit some of the proposed charges, committee members voted 3-1 -- with Carl DeMaio dissenting -- to forward the proposal to the full City Council for final approval. DeMaio, a mayoral candidate, said the city will pass on its inefficiencies to the public.

-City News Service