Title
A Resolution of the City Commission amending Ordinance No. 2015-17, As Amended, to revise various local business taxes by the Finance Department, Fire Prevention Fees by the Fire Department, Administrative Fees by the Development Services Department, and certain Parks Fees by the Community Recreation Department; providing for severability, and providing for an effective date.
Body
BTR Fees:
Pursuant to Chapter 205.0535 of the Florida Statutes, municipalities are authorized to adjust local business tax rates every two years. Since the adoption of this legislation, the City of Coral Gables has consistently implemented such adjustments as permitted by law.
Failure to apply the authorized increase may necessitate an equity study should the City seek an adjustment or increase in the future, which could result in potential revenue fluctuations or limitations as well as costs associated with an equity study.
The local business tax generates over $4 million annually for the City’s General Fund, serving as a vital revenue source that supports essential municipal services.
Fire Prevention Special Fee Schedule:
The following fees are necessary adjustments to the fire prevention special fee schedule. The adjustment has no impact to residents or current businesses
• Special Effects: Special effects incorporated into large gatherings that require full plans review and site inspection.
• Emergency Action Plan: Annual review of emergency plans for hospitals and nursing homes. Plan review and acceptance by AHJ is required by state regulatory agencies.
• Re-Inspection Fee: Adjustment to current fee schedule, $200.00 following third failed inspection and $350.00 following fifth failed inspection.
• Tent Fees: Adjustment to current fee schedule to $150.00.
Development Services Fees:
The Development Services Department proposes the following updates to the City of Coral Gables Fee Schedule to ensure alignment with current regulatory practices and procedural needs. Outdated code sections have been eliminated, including the now defunct Development of Regional Impact (DRI) and the Concurrency Information Statement fee, which both are no longer applicable. To address application types, necessary fees have been introduced for Conditional Use requests, differentiated by Major and Minor Amendments, as well as for Relief from Inordinate Burdens. Additionally, the Concurrency Review Application (Service Demand Analysis) has been incorporated into the schedule to support Level 1 and Level 2 Development Review applications; however, no separate fee applies, as the associated cost is absorbed within those application fees. The permit renewal fee structure has been revised to require a minimum base fee plus 15% of the original permit fee. A new subsection has also been established within the Building Division to define the Miscellaneous Permit Fee Schedule for Expedited Permit Review Services, applicable to qualifying permits.
Community Recreation Fees:
The Parks Fee Schedule is based on a five-year fee plan. Updates to the fee schedule reflect several important additions and corrections to ensure transparency and accuracy across all facilities. New fee pricing has been introduced for pickleball at both the Tennis and Youth Center facilities to reflect pickleball activities at each facility. The Tennis Center's High-Performance Camps now include an “enroll by date” pricing option that had not been previously listed. Semi-private lesson fees with professional instructors have been added for a clearer breakdown of instructional offerings. The Youth Center has introduced pricing for newly added athletic clinics, and the CG Golf and Country Club now offers Single-Toddler Pool Membership to expand membership options. The Adult Activity Center fees were amended to reflect actual class costs, include use of volunteer instructors, and differentiate certain levels of activities. Other minor corrections include revisions to class, program, and event descriptions to more accurately represent current offerings across all facilities and service units that have been corrected to align appropriately with the listed fees.
Recommended Action
Approval.