Title
Public hearing to consider adopting a resolution to:
a. Find that modification to the Public Works’ fees is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15273 of the CEQA Guidelines; and
b. Amend the Monterey County Fee Resolution, Article X - Public Works to adjust fees.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution to:
a. Find that modification to the Public Works’ fees is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15273 of the CEQA Guidelines; and
b. Amend the Monterey County Fee Resolution, Article X - Public Works to adjust fees.
SUMMARY:
Fees for department services are set forth in “articles” of the Monterey County Fee Resolution.
Article X of the Monterey County Fee Resolution defines fees for services provided by the Public Works Division of the Department of Public Works, Facilities, and Parks (PWFP). These fees are for services which include certain mandated duties, special services requested by the public, and services in support of land-use permits and entitlements. With limited exceptions, the recommended adjustments result in no net change to fees when aligned with the recently amended Article IX-Land Use adopted by the Board on February 3, 2026.
DISCUSSION:
On June 22, 2021, following the separation of the Resource Management Agency into PWFP and Housing and Community Development Department (HCD), the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 21-169, which retitled Article X defining Public Works fees for certain services. The 2020 separation of the departments had effectively split staffing and certain mandated duties of the Office of the County Surveyor (CSO), which is housed within PWFP. PWFP (Article X) and HCD (Article IX) each contained a corresponding portion of the fees for these split duties.
In 2024, PWFP and HCD made a staffing adjustment that effectively united the staffing of the CSO. Consequently, splitting the fees is no longer necessary and the former HCD fee component should be integrated into PWFP fees. The proposed fees also contain a mechanism that allows PWFP to directly charge HCD permit deposits for services performed on permits with HCD deposits.
Line items for previously included services, now fully performed by HCD staff, have been deleted from the proposed amended Article. With limited exceptions, no net changes are being made by the proposed amendment to Article X when aligned with the recently amended Article IX-Land Use, adopted by the Board on February 3, 2026.
In January 2026, staff conducted a fee audit and found that the no-net-change fees within the proposed amended Article X are being properly implemented and supported by staff time.
FINANCING:
Sufficient appropriations are available in the adopted Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Road Fund budget, Fund 002, Appropriation Unit PFP004, to finance the staff time to perform this work. The objective of the proposed changes to existing fee articles is to make appropriate adjustments and provide full cost recovery for all categories.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
The requested actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Plan Goals by promoting fiscal responsibility and efficient, effective County operations while offering excellent customer service to the public.
___ Well-Being and Quality of Life
X Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
____ Administrative
Prepared by: Michael K. Goetz, PLS, County Surveyor, Ext. 4940
Reviewed by: Enrique Saavedra, PE, Chief of Public Works
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities, and Parks
Attachments:
Attachment A - Draft Resolution
Attachment B - Current Article X
Attachment C - Proposed Article X