TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Amending the Code of the City of North Port, Florida, Appendix A - City Fee Schedule; Amending Development Services - Development Review, Planning and Zoning, and Natural Resources Fees; Fire Rescue District Fees, Parks and Recreation - General Fees; Parks and Recreation - Facility Rental Fees; Solid Waste District Fees; Utilities Fees; Road and Drainage District Fees; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing for Codification; and Providing an Effective Date.
Recommended Action First Reading
Option 1: Continue Ordinance No. 2026-21 to second reading on July 21, 2026, as presented.
City Commission Options First Reading
Option 1: Continue Ordinance No. 2026-21 to second reading on July 21, 2026, as presented.
• Pros: Supports adherence to the established schedule, which is critical to meeting the planned October 1, 2026, effective date, while keeping the legislative process on track and ensuring timely consideration of the Ordinance.
• Cons: Limits flexibility in the review process, as maintaining the schedule may constrain the ability to address additional feedback, revisions, or unforeseen issues without risking delays to the October 1, 2026, effective date.
Option 2: Do not continue Ordinance No. 2026-21 to second reading on July 21, 2026, as presented.
• Pros: Provides additional time for thorough staff review and analysis.
• Cons: May delay the approval process and jeopardize the ability to meet the planned October 1, 2026, effective date.
Background Information
As part of the City’s budget development process for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, staff critiqued the fees charged for services provided by the City. During the City Commission Regular Meeting held on March 24, 2026, (Agenda Item 26-0383), staff presented the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Appendix A - Proposed Fee Changes, to the Code of the City of North Port, Florida, to the Commission for their consideration.
Since that presentation, several revisions have been made to the proposed Appendix A Fee Schedule. The following is a summary of the changes incorporated between the March 24, 2026 presentation and the ordinance's first reading:
1. Development Services: Planning & Zoning Fees
a. Impact Fee Applications (General Fund (Planning and Zoning) - Removed
i. Deferral application - Removed
ii. Reduction or waiver application (incentive program) - Removed
2. Parks & Recreation: General Fees
a. After School Care - New Fee
3. Parks & Recreation: Facility Rental Fees
a. Equipment Only - New Section
b. Fees moved from Set Up Charges (Labor Only) section to Equipment Only section
i. Audio/Visual
ii. Stanchion - Indoor Use Only
c. Facility Cleaning Fee (outside regular operating hours) - New Fee
4. Solid Waste District Fees
a. Mixing of materials - New Fee
b. Unsanitary Corral - 1st Offense - Updated language to the fee amount
Concurrently, Willdan Financial Services is conducting a Comprehensive User Fee Study for the Department of Development Services. The results of this Study will be presented to the City Commission at a later date accompanied by an Ordinance which will include the revised user fees.
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding Warm Mineral Springs and North Port Aquatic Center rate increases; funding considerations; and staffing requirements. The Commission did not have any changes to staff’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Appendix A - Proposed Fee Changes.
Ordinance No. 2026-21 has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
Ordinance No. 2026-21 was provided to the City Clerk’s Office on June 18, 2026, for signature, subject to City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Good Governance
Financial Impact
City revenues will be impacted by these changes to the City-Wide Fee Schedule adopted by the City Commission. The Funds impacted by these proposed fee changes include: 001 General Fund, 107 Road & Drainage District Fund, 110 Fire Rescue District Fund, 120 Solid Waste District Fund, 125 Warm Mineral Springs Fund, and 420 Utility Revenue Fund.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Ordinance - First Reading
2. Business Impact Estimate
3. Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Appendix A - Proposed Fee Changes
Prepared by: Tiffany Fowler, Accountant III
Department Director: Irina Kukharenko, CPA, Finance Director