Pricing of Public Services and Fee Structures

Local jurisdictions may charge fees to cover the cost of providing a service. Examples of these fees include permit and building fees, water and stormwater service fees, garbage disposal fees, system development charges (SDCs), and recreational activity fees. A thorough and transparent assessment of the cost of services allows a jurisdiction to implement fair and defensible fee systems. For cities and service districts throughout Oregon and Washington, ECONorthwest has performed cost-of-service analyses, evaluated current and alternative rate structures, and recommended rate structures. These analyses have evaluated financial histories and current budgets, forecasted revenue requirements (including operation, maintenance, and capital costs), examined the probable success of funding for needed improvements, and developed capital improvement programs.

Representative Projects

  • Permitting Fee Strategy (Excerpt, PDF, 153K)
    City of Florence
    Oregon
  • User Fees Study (Excerpt, PDF, 623K)
    Clackamas County
    Oregon
  • Evaluation of a Transportation Impact Fee
    City of Tukwila
    Washington
  • Salem Street Utility Fee
    City of Salem
    Oregon
  • Transportation System Development Charge (SDC)
    Clackamas County and City of Happy Valley
    Oregon