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STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: December 16, 2025 <br />REGULAR AGENDA <br />AGENDA ITEM:2026 Fee Schedule <br />FROM: Clarissa Hadler, Finance Director <br />Department Heads <br />CORE STRATEGIES: <br />☐ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community ☒ Efficient, reliable, innovative services <br />☒ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance ☒ Balanced Finances now and future <br />☐ Managed Growth ☐ Resilient Infrastructure <br />BACKGROUND: <br />Annually the Council reviews the City’s Fee Schedule and makes fee adjustments as necessary. <br />The City’s Fee Schedule is adopted each year and occasionally revised throughout the year, as <br />needed. The proposed changes were recommended by department directors and are presented to <br />be adopted by City Council. <br />ISSUE BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL: <br />Should the City Council update the fee schedule as proposed for 2026? <br />DISCUSSION: <br />Staff has reviewed the attached Fee Schedule and proposes the changes highlighted in <br />yellow on the attached document. <br />Fire Department added a fee for CPR training classes that require a certification card. <br />Building added escrow for in-ground pools and other projects near easements; removed the <br />plan review fee for residential rooftop solar since the state does a full plan review. <br />Planning added a design review fee when not a part of a project; reduced the minimum <br />grading threshold from 50 to 10 cubic yards due to coordination with engineering and <br />watershed; and an escrow fee when selling city property to ensure that the buyer is aware that <br />they pay all costs. <br />Finance will be bringing the utility fees back to Council in March after the utility study is <br />updated, so no changes are proposed to those during this revision. <br />FISCAL IMPACT: <br />Regularly analyzing, discussing and updating fees helps to ensure sound financial <br />management. Further, review helps to ensure the proper fees are received for services. <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />The Council is required to adopt an ordinance in order to update the fee schedule. The <br />proposed ordinance and summary publication are attached. <br />“Motion to approve Ordinance 2025 -18 Adopting the 2026 City of Lake Elmo Fee Schedule.”