general and statistical information - City of Inglewood

knowledge of local factors; regional economic forecasts; and state and national projections. Staff will balance these factors
before making any projections.
7. The City will endeavor to maintain a diversified and stable revenue base to minimize the effects of economic fluctuations on
revenue generation.
When the Forum lost the Lakers, City revenues were visibly and negatively impacted because so much of our revenue was tied
up in the activities around the Forum. When the City loses the sales tax from Herbalife next quarter year, we will not be visibly
impacted. The difference is diversification. Among the most stable revenues are property taxes and utility user taxes, and these
two revenues are both stronger in their contribution to our tax base than sales taxes. We are fortunate to have a diversified
revenue base today, without a major reliance on any one employer. Economic development policies that encourage this type of
diversified revenue base are in the best interests of our fiscal health.
8. Development process costs and related administrative expenses will be totally offset by development fees.
New development is part of the economic diversification that is desirable in the City. However, new development has major
costs associated with it, not least of which is the processing of the permits to insure compliance with State and local laws and
ordinances. It is unfair for existing residents and businesses to pay these costs. State law provides for full cost recovery of fees
for services by a simple vote of the City Council. The City has a policy of full cost recovery from fees for new development
costs.
9. Fee supported services shall be reviewed and fees adjusted to reduce public subsidies and move toward full cost recovery
where deemed appropriate. This shall be done in conjunction with the annual budget process.
In addition to development fees, the City offers a wide variety of other services which could be totally offset by fees, including
library costs, park and recreation costs, and special programs for seniors and others. However, very few jurisdictions charge full
costs for these services. Nevertheless, some fees must be charged for most of these services, and those fees should be reviewed
annually as part of the annual budget process and recommendations for any changes could be made to council at the same time
services provided by the budget are considered.
In addition to these fees, the City charges a wide variety of other fees, from police department licensing and permitting, to copies
of documents. In general, these fees should have full cost recovery, and should be reviewed annually to insure that all costs are
being considered.
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