Police and Fire Public Safety Fees FAQ
Starting on July 1, 2019, the City of Corvallis will begin assessing two fees on City Services bills. Revenue from the fees is dedicated to supporting the Corvallis Police Department and Corvallis Fire Department. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the fees.
What are the fees and their purpose?
The public safety fees are charged monthly on the City of Corvallis City Services bill. Revenue from the fees will go towards additional law enforcement and fire staff and services beyond levels and types of service currently provided. Police will hire an additional 15 staff members and Fire will hire an additional 6 staff members.
Who pays the fees?
Anyone who receives a City Services bill from the City of Corvallis will see the fees on their monthly bill. The fees do not apply to people whose water meter is outside of Corvallis City limits, irrigation meters, or fire meters.
How much are the fees?
The fees varies by meter size. Most single-dwelling homes have a 5/8 inch to 3/4 inch sized meter. Initially, the combined fees came to $17.31 per month.
On July 1, 2020, the fees were reduced by $4.27, following the successful implementation of the voter-approved 911 service district. The new combined fees come to $13.04.
How are the fees determined?
The fees are based on the Residential Meter Equivalent (RME) methodology. The RME is determined by the American Water Works Association’s methodology that reflects differences in demand for water service based on the size of the meter.
Why are the fees on my City Services bill?
By putting the fee on your City Services bill, the City is able to reduce administrative costs of processing and printing invoices over what it would cost to have each charge on a separate bill.
How much revenue will the fees generate?
The Fire service fee is projected to raise about $1.3 million each year. The Police service fee is projected to raise about $3.1 million each year.
How do these fees benefit me?
Both the Police and Fire Departments are currently understaffed based on nationwide best practices. Response times are increasing due to increasing call volume alongside staffing shortages. The additional staff in both departments will help improve responsiveness to community members and help build a sustainable funding foundation for future needs.
Perhaps most importantly, the new public safety fee will be spread equally throughout the community, with businesses and large institutions that don't pay property taxes (such as Oregon State University and Good Samaritan Hospital) helping to improve public safety in Corvallis.
How were the fees developed?
The fees were developed after months of discussion by the Corvallis City Council as a way to prioritize public safety and begin to address longstanding staffing issues. The Council debated the specifics of the fees and weighed community feedback during a series of meetings and public hearings in 2018. Public records from those meetings are available to review, including the following:
- Council Meeting Video - November 19, 2019
- Council Minutes - November 19, 2019
- Ordinance 2018-29 Police Service Fee
- Ordinance 2018-30 Fire Service Fee
What if I don’t agree with my meter size?
Any person responsible for a property who disputes the size of their water meter may present the reason for their dispute to the City’s Utility Billing Office. We will inspect the meter to confirm its size and render a decision, along with an explanation of how that decision was reached.
