City Council Meeting Date: September 22, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Lynette Peterson, City Clerk
Title
Adopt Changes to Fees and Charges.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves the attached resolution adopting changes to fees and charges.
Summary Report:
Annual review of fees and charges is desirable to ensure that the appropriate fees are being charged for City services. In formulating updated fee amounts, each department reviews services that are provided and what the costs for those services are. Costs include staff member time as well as overhead expenses. A resolution adopting changes to fees and charges is included. The updated 2027 fee schedule as a redlined version is included as Attachment 1. This attachment shows a view of current fees and proposed fees. It is recommended that the proposed fees be effective January 1, 2027. The proposed changes will be incorporated into the comprehensive fee schedule once adopted.
A brief explanation of proposed fee changes is noted below provided as background to the council:
Meeting Rooms - City Wide
• Removed this section as Council adopted 2.03 Meeting Room Policy on 01/06/2026 and discontinued the rental of meeting rooms. (Ice Arena has separate section addressing meeting room rental rates.)
EV Charging Fees
• Added Public Electric Vehicle Charging Station - Idle Fee for Level 2.
• Added Public Electric Vehicle Charging Station - Idle Fee for Level 3.
• Created Public Electric Vehicle Charging Station - Fee for Level 3
• Updated Public Electric Vehicle Charging Station - Level 2 to reflect current rate.
• Set a maximum charge for Level 2 and Level 3 for Electric Vehicle Charging
Public Works - Pool
• Added Family Season Pass (“Reduced Lunch Eligible” fee 50% for those verified by School District)
• Added Family Season Pass (“Free Lunch Eligible” Free for those verified by School District)
Public Works-Ice Arena
• Added fees for Meeting Room use.
City Clerk - Liquor License
• Add Consumption & Display Permit Fee. This is a state license that the City approves prior to State approval. The City collects the applications, completes background checks on owners and reviews as they do for on-sale licenses.
City Clerk - Other License/Permits
• Added Domestic Partnership Registration Fee
Community Development - Rental
• Increase fee for Rental License (Type 1)
• Increase fee for Rental License Temporary
Community Development - Commercial Building
• Increase fee for Commercial Sewer and Water.
Community Development - Residential Building
• Increase fee for New Residential Building.
• Increase fee for Residential Addition.
• Increase fee for Residential Alteration.
• Increase fee for Garage/Shed.
• Increase fees for Residential Plumbing Permit for both new home or major remodel and minor remodel.
• Increase fee for Residential Sewer and Water
• Increase fee for New Residential HVAC.
• Increase fee for Residential HVAC Remodel/Alteration.
• Increase fee for Residential Deck Permit.
• Increase fee for Residential Deck Repair.
• Increase fee for Residential Roof Permit.
• Increase fee for Residential Siding Permit.
• Increase fee for Residential Windows/ or Doors.
• Increase fee for Residential Fireplace Permit.
• Increase fee for Residential Solar Panels.
• Increase fee for Radon Mitigation System.
• Increase fee for Demolition Permit - Residential.
• Increase fee for Swimming Pool Permit.
Community Development - Building Permits
• Increase minimum fee for Building Permits
This was presented to the Council at the July work session. Since that time, the EV Charging fees were updated and the Consumption and Display permit fee was added under City Clerk.
Alternative Options:
The City Council may alternatively:
A. Make adjustments to fees as deemed necessary.
Financial Impacts:
There is not a significant impact to any of the budgets by the proposed fee changes.
Tentative Timelines:
The fee schedule process has been moved up for earlier review in the budget process for the 2027-2028 process. Fees would be adopted at this meeting via resolution taking effect January 1, 2027.