Chapter 13.32
MUNICIPAL SERVICE FEES
Sections:
13.32.030 Voter approval required for a municipal service fee unrelated to utility services.
13.32.010 Purpose.
The purpose of a municipal service fee is to provide funding for the direct or indirect use of or benefit from the provision of city services, such as public safety, library, parks, or another specific purpose. Municipal service fees are not a property tax, nor subject to the limitation of Article XI, Section 11 of the Oregon Constitution. The obligation to pay a municipal service fee arises when a person receives the direct or indirect benefit of the city service. It is presumed that the benefit of city services is received when a person owns or uses developed property. Municipal service fees are separately identified and collected through utility bills. (Ord. 3316 § 2 (Att. A), 2025)
13.32.020 Definitions.
Municipal Service Fees. A municipal service fee provides funding for the direct or indirect use of or benefit from the provision of city services, including but not limited to public safety, library, parks, or another specific purpose and collected on the utility bill. A municipal service fee does not include (1) fees charged to persons or property based on the use or consumption of utilities, such as water, sewer, or stormwater fees established through utility rates, (2) fees imposed for a specific service or activity, such as building permit fees, land use permit fees, local improvement districts, or those adopted in the universal fee schedule, or (3) impact fees such as system development charges. (Ord. 3316 § 2 (Att. A), 2025)
13.32.030 Voter approval required for a municipal service fee unrelated to utility services.
(1) Voter approval by a majority of the votes cast at a citywide election shall be required before a municipal service fee unrelated to utility services is established, increased, or purpose modified.
(2) The reduction or repeal of municipal service fee shall not require voter approval.
(3) Any proposal to establish or increase a municipal service fee shall:
(a) Specify the maximum amount of the fee or rate;
(b) Include an expiration date unless reauthorized by the voters; and
(c) State the specific purpose for which the revenue is to be used.
(4) A municipal service fee approved by the city prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall not be subject to the voter approval requirement unless the municipal service fee is increased or its purpose modified. (Ord. 3316 § 2 (Att. A), 2025)