Title
Public hearing continued from October 22, 2013 to consider adopting a resolution to amend Article IX (RMA-Planning) of the Monterey County Fee Resolution to increase the Surface Mine Annual Inspection fee from $3,227.91 to $7,600.00 for all mines or only those with a disturbed area of greater than 20 acres, for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 to cover the reasonable cost of inspections.
(Adjust Fees - REF130098/Surface Mine Annual Inspection Fee)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution for one of two optional methods to amend Article IX (RMA-Planning) of the Monterey County Fee Resolution to increase the Surface Mine Annual Inspection fee:
Option 1:
Increase the inspection fee from $3,227.91 to $7,600.00 for all mining operations for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 to cover the reasonable cost of inspections (Attachment B-1).
Option 2:
Increase the fee from $3,227.91 to $7,600.00, only for mining operations with over 20 acres of disturbed area (as identified in the 2012 inspection reports), for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 to cover the reasonable cost of inspections (Attachment B-2). The increased fee would apply to seven of the 16 mine operations.
SUMMARY:
The Board of Supervisors approved an update of land use fees on May 7, 2013 (Resolution 13-143). Staff is recommending an adjustment to the Surface Mine Annual Inspection fee for FY 2013-2014 only due to changes in state inspection requirements. The Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on this matter on October 22, 2013, and directed staff to return with an analysis of what other counties are charging. Research shows that most counties responding are full cost recovery, with an hourly rate charged, while other counties have a fee of between $1,440 and $2,740. However, Monterey County's fee also includes condition compliance and mitigation monitoring verification. Some counties do not appear to include those tasks as part of the inspection process, with a...
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