Joomla! site syndication http://www.kssmallbiz.com.php5-13.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/ Tue, 07 Sep 2010 08:13:35 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.kssmallbiz.com.php5-13.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com//images/M_images/joomla_rss.png http://www.kssmallbiz.com.php5-13.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/ Joomla! site syndication http://www.kssmallbiz.com.php5-13.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=369 To: Norton Bonaparte City ManagerFrom: Dennis TaylorDate: June 1, 2010Re: Revenue EnhancementsAs a part of considering how to fund the 2010 and 2011 City budgets, the COST Team recently proposed a review of the fees and charges imposed by the City of Topeka.In response the COST Team suggestions, we have conducted a review of the fees and charges imposed by the City of Topeka as well as those of comparable communities in Kansas and adjacent states.This memorandum presents a proposal to initiate or increase fees and outlines anticipated frequently asked questions (FAQs) concerning existing fees for City licenses, permits, and inspections and in the following areas: 1. Animal Licenses2. Building Permits3. Occupancy Permits4. Commercial Enterprise LicenseSUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES Category Current fee Proposed fee1. Animal Licenses $5, neutered $12, neutered $8, un-neutered $20, un-neutered 2. Commercial Building Permit— Example: $300,000 value $2,959.35 $3,930.00 (2009 average) Residential Building Permit— Example: 1500 square foot $ 480.00 $ 580.00 1500-3000 sq. ft. $ 660.00 $ 780.00 3000 and up $ 830.00 $ 980.003. Occupancy Permit none $ 50.00 (one time fee) 4. Commercial Enterprise License Example: 1-7,999 sq. ft. none $ 65.00 8,000-39,999 sq. ft. none $ 140.00 40,000 sq. ft. and up none $ 290.00 Revenue EnhancementsPage 2 PROPOSAL Rationale The following proposal is presented to: 1. Ensure the continuity of City programs and services that protect the health and safety of the community and its citizens. 2. Recover the full cost of providing those programs and services. 3. Assist in funding the City budget during 2010 and 2011. 4. Reduce the necessity of greater reductions in the workforce and in City services. Summary Financial Impact In summary, the following proposal anticipates an increase in rates, a broader base upon which the rates are applied, and an improved rate of compliance through better enforcement: 1. Animal Licenses----20,000 issued-------------------------$ 300,000 (rate:$12/dog and cat, spayed, neutered, $20, if not) 2. Building Permit/Plan Review/Inspection---------------- $ 214,000 (Rate: commercial and residential per scheduleRevenue EnhancementsPage 3 Commercial building permit increase $190,000 Residential building permit increase $ 24,000 Revenue Projection Assumption: with 100% compliance of 206 with average $970 per permit increase shown below with 100% compliance of 300 with average of $80 per permit increase shown below a. Increase commercial building permit fee Example: Building permit fees are computed based on valuation Current ordinance $300,000 building—Base fee--$993.75—1st $100,000 Addl. fee- $5.60 each addl. $1,000 Plan Review fee—40% of 1st 2 fees Total – $ 993.75 $1,120.00 $ 845.60 $2,959.35 Proposed ordinance $300,000 building—Base fee--$1100.00—1st $100,000 Addl. fee-$7.60 each addl. $1,000 Plan review fee—50% of 1st 2 fees Total---$1,100.00 $1,520.00 $1,310.00 $3,930.00 3. Occupancy permit fee—one time $150,000 Revenue Projection Assumption: One time fee for 3000 businesses @ $50 Revenue EnhancementsPage 4 4. Commercial Enterprise Licenses--- 3,000 issued-------$ 297,500 (rate: variable $65 to $290) Revenue Projection Assumption: with 85% compliance of 3,500 commercial enterprises @ $100/licenseSummary of anticipated additional revenue to be generated by these licenses and inspections: Animal Licenses $250,000 Building Permits $214,000 Occupancy Permits $150,000 (one time fee) Commercial Enterprise Licenses $297,500 Total $911,500Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)1. What commercial enterprises are currently licensed by the City of Topeka?A. The City requires licensing the ownership of pets.B. City of Topeka ordinances currently regulates 36 specific commercial activities. Lawful performance of these activities requires a current valid license issued by the City Clerk for which the City assesses a fee.a. Alcohol liquor distributorb. Ambulance businessc. Ambulances vehicled. Amusement Parke. Auctioneerf. Bill postersg. Cereal Malt Beverage (General Malt Beverage)h. Cereal Malt Beverage (Limited Malt Beverage)i. Circusesj. Cleaners/Dry Cleanersk. Dance Hall—Beerl. Mobile food service unitsm. Open after midnightn. Paintball gunso. Pawnbrokersp. Peddlersq. Precious metal dealersr. Private clubs. Professional Boxing/wrestling Revenue Enhancements Page 5t. Retail liquor storeu. Salvage yardv. Second hand dealerw. Dance Hall—hallx. Dance Hall---non-profity. Fireworksz. Funeral escort serviceaa. Going out of businessbb. Haunter house permitcc. Microbrewery, winerydd. Sign hangeree. Solicitorsff. Taxi cab companygg. Tobacco/Novelty Retail licensehh. Transient Merchantii. Tree, shrub, and vine servicejj. Wholesale beer distributorThe fees charged for licensing the above businesses range from $5.00 to $1000.00 annually.C. The City also issues building permits, conducts plan reviews, and performs mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and building inspections of new and remodeled commercial real property. No charge is made for fire inspections.D. Fire Inspectionsa. Mandated by state statutei. K-12 schoolsii. Home day careiii. Daycare centersiv. Pre-schoolsv. Washburn Universityvi. Open burning permitsb. Mandated by the City of Topekai. New Constructionii. CMB licensesiii. Dance licensesiv. Boarding homesv. Fireworks and Tent permits Revenue EnhancementsPage 6c. Other inspections performed fire inspectors include but are not limited to:i. Complaintsii. Fire Alarm systemsiii. Sprinkler systemsiv. Nursing Homesv. Assisting living facilitiesvi. Hospitalsvii. Businesses2. What fees are currently charged for licensing the above businesses?A. In summary, the following rates were in effect for the following activities during 2009, generating the revenue shown below:1. Animal Licenses—7800 issued-----------$ 46,800 (rate: $5/dog and cat, spayed and neutered, $8, if not) 2. City Licenses—678 issued-----------$ 94,869 (rate: variable $5 to $700)3. Commercial building Permits/Plan Reviews206 issued-- $ 570,000-(rate: valuation)4. Residential building permits300 issued $144,000 (rate: (square feet) Total-------------------------------------------------------$ 678,575 (2009 revenue)3. What businesses are licensed by other cities in Kansas?A. Other Kansas jurisdictions license and charge fees to a much more comprehensive range of businesses than does the City of Topeka including:a. Automobile dealersb. Automobile repair shops and body shopsc. Automobile washersd. Bankse. Barber shops, beauty salons, tanning and nail salonsf. Collection agents and bail bondsmeng. Commercial kennelsh. Contractorsi. Storage yards maintained by contractorsj. Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Retirement Homesk. Laundry/Dry Cleaners Revenue EnhancementsPage 7l. Motels/Hotelsm. Nurseriesn. Officeso. Pay Day and title loan businessesp. Professionals (engineers, architects, physicians, dentists, chiropractors, osteopaths, accountants, photographers, real estate offices, insurance brokers)q. Restaurantsr. Recreational businessess. Retail storest. Schoolsu. Service providersv. Service stationsw. TheatersB. The fees charged for licensing the above businesses range from $4.00 to $1,500.00 annually.IV. What changes to the City of Topeka’s existing ordinances regarding business licenses, animal licenses, and building permits, plan reviews, and inspections are proposed? V. Who will be affected by this proposal?1. All owners of domestic pets.2. All business owners3. All property owners who apply for a permit to construct, remodel or rezone real property.4. All businesses which request inspection or are mandated by law to be inspected.VI. Under this proposal what businesses are proposed to be licensed?A. All commercial enterprises operating within the City of Topeka will be licensed under one of the following categories: 1. Category I Wholesale and Retail Trade Includes: Public accommodations (Hotels, motels and restaurants, bars, arts, entertainment, and recreation venuesRetail liquor storesPrecious metal dealersCleaners/Dry cleaners/Laundries Revenue EnhancementsPage 8Funeral parlorsGasoline stationsAutomobile dealersAutomobile repair shopsBanks/savings and loan/credit unionsBarber shops/beauty/tanning, and nail salonsReal estate property managementRental real estate business including owners of apartment buildings, commercial, industrial, and/or residential property for lease 2. Category II Professional Services Includes: Financial service providers including accountants and bookkeepers, collection agenciesArchitectsAttorneysMedical service providersInsurance agencies and companiesReal estate brokers Educational service providers 3. Category III Manufacturing and Warehousing,Includes: Construction contractorsQuarrying and Related Operations 4. Category IV Health Care/Social AssistanceIncludes:HospitalsAssisted living facilitiesNursing Homes 5. Category V Home Occupation BusinessIncludes: Any business permitted to operate within residentially zoned property. VII. Under this proposal how will license fees be determined for each of the above categories? Revenue EnhancementsPage 9A. There will be three levels, based on square footage of the occupied real property, within each category of commercial enterprise licensed within the City of Topeka. Fees will be assessed as follows:1. Category Ia. Level A 1--7,999 square feet $65b. Level B 8,000--39,999 square feet $140c. Level C 40,000 square feet and over $290 2. Category IIa. Level A 1--7,999 square feet $65b. Level B 8,000—39,999 square feet $140c. Level C 40,000 square feet and over $290 3. Category IIIa. Level A 1—7,999 square feet $65b. Level B 8,000—39,999 square feet $140c. Level C 40,000 square feet and over $290Revenue EnhancementsPage 104. Category IVa. Level A 1—7,999 square feet $65b. Level B 8,000—39,999 square feet $140c. Level C 40,000 square feet and over $2905. Category Va. Level A 1—7,999 square feet $65VIII. My business is currently licensed under existing ordinance. I received my current license on April 1, 2010. Does this proposal mean I will have to pay a second license for 2010 and 2011?No. Under this proposal you will be grandfathered under your existing license. You will not be required to obtain a new license for 2010. You will be required to obtain a new license on or before January 1, 2011 for 2011. However, the fee for the 2011 license will be prorated to take into account that portion of the fee that you have paid for January 1 to April 1 under the existing ordinance and fee schedule. IX. What will be the process for enforcement of the requirement to have a business license to operate within the City of Topeka?City ordinances will provide that each commercial enterprise within the City of Topeka must have a valid occupancy permit issued by the City Clerk. A prerequisite to the issuance of an occupancy permit will be the obtaining of a business license as further prescribed by City ordinance. Failure to obtain an occupancy permit will be subject to fines and penalties as set forth in City ordinances. X. Why should the City increase the level of existing fees or establish a new commercial enterprise license? Revenue EnhancementsPage 11Responsibilitya. The City should develop and maintain an accurate database of businesses operating within its jurisdiction in the interest of public health and safety.Accountabilityb. Businesses open and close and/or change names and functions in most cases without any notice to the City. Unless significant remodeling is undertaken or a state license is required for operation, the new business may operate for some time without being inspected to determine whether it is operating in accordance with the law. Quality of Life c. With respect to all commercial enterprises operating within its jurisdiction, the City has impliedly assured its citizens and visitors that their safety and health are not compromised by patronizing these businesses. Due diligence on the part of the City requires that it minimally regulate all commercial enterprises through licensing and permitting. XI. How will the City of Topeka licenses be enforced and the fees collected?City ordinances will provide that each commercial enterprise within the City of Topeka must have a valid occupancy permit issued by the City Clerk. A prerequisite to the issuance of an occupancy permit will be the obtaining of a business license as further prescribed by City ordinance. Failure to obtain an occupancy permit will be subject to fines as set forth in City ordinances.Animal licenses will be payable to the office of City Clerk.Building Permit fees will continue to be collected at Development Services.Commercial Enterprise licenses and occupancy permits will be collected bythe City Clerk. TIBA Documents - TIBA misc documents Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:48:22 +0100 http://www.kssmallbiz.com.php5-13.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=368&Itemid=38 This is the first chapter of the new 2010 Guide to Kansas Small Business Issues. This is the 8th year that the Guide has been published by Kansas small business groups. The entire guide can be downloaded on the main page of KsSmallBiz.com. Small Business Items - Entrepreneurship Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:07:25 +0100 http://www.kssmallbiz.com.php5-13.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364&Itemid=34 The “uninsured crisis” is a small business crisis. What concerns Ken Daniel is that small business is likely to get crushed in the health reform process. Healthcare - Health Insurance Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:50:56 +0100 http://www.kssmallbiz.com.php5-13.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=366&Itemid=34 In mid June TIBA surveyed members and prospects on six health insurance issues. The issues we surveyed are ones that were getting the most attention from the two U.S. Senate committees presenting health plans, and received the most comment by President Obama. Healthcare - Health Insurance Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:06:18 +0100 http://www.kssmallbiz.com.php5-13.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=355&Itemid=38 A community can exist with only secondary businesses, but it cannot exist with only primary businesses. Small Business Items - Entrepreneurship Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:03:53 +0100