Post Falls fee hikes proposed

POST FALLS - Post Falls' water and sewer rates are proposed to increase 2.5 percent, garbage rates 4 percent and street light fees 13 percent.

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposals tonight at 6 at City Hall, 408 N. Spokane St.

To the average residential user, the hikes would total about $1.50 per month, said Shelly Enderud, city finance director.

Garbage pickup would increase 37 cents, street lights 35 cents, water 10 cents and sewer treatment 69 cents. Impact capitalization fees for public safety, parks and streets are slated to increase 2.18 percent.

The fees would be effective on Oct. 1.

The council will also hold a public hearing on a proposal to consolidate some development impact fee categories.

The Commercial/Shopping Center category currently has a fee ranging from $2.18 to $4.99 per square foot, while the Office category has a fee ranging from 91 cents to $1.83.

The proposed consolidation would result in the Commercial/Shopping category fee of $2.64 and the Office category 88 cents.

The Office category includes medical, hospitals, churches, business parks, nursing home, day care and lodging.

"Tischler Bise (the city's consultant on impact fees) has recommended that the city consolidate these various square footage categories into an average for ease of implementation," former planner Garrett Smith wrote in a memo.

City Administrator Eric Keck said the fee consolidation will benefit the smaller office and retailers locating in Post Falls.

"But it is also a more equitable system for the community," Keck said.

The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the changes be approved.

In other business, the council is expected to approve a bid of $39,450 from Grace Tree Service of Hayden to remove and prune trees citywide. The contract will be funded by the federal government through the Idaho Department of Lands.