City Council approves fee hikes

COSTA MESA — If your dog is not fixed, get ready to pay $80 to license it — quadruple the amount the city used to charge.

The fee was one of several that were increased Tuesday by the City Council as part of a plan to shore up funds and address the budget deficit.

Included in the $80 is $5 to finance the doggy waste bags program, which was slashed last year as part of budget cuts.

The licensing fee for altered dogs was also increased from $10 to $25 and officials established a new fee for seniors, $10. Late fees will be an additional 50%.

The last time Costa Mesa increased its dog license fee was about 20 years ago. The new fees are on par with the county average, according to a city staff report.

Councilwoman Wendy Leece, who wanted the doggy waste fee to be optional, voted against the change. Councilwoman Katrina Foley was absent.

The city also increased the Solid Waste Hauler Franchise Fee for non-residential and commercial from 12% to 16%. The fee is a percentage of the annual gross receipts a franchisee makes in Costa Mesa.

The fee increase is expected to generate about $432,000 a year on top of the $1.3 million in annual revenue from the waste hauler fee.

Costa Mesa also increased its civil citation fines and penalties. First violators will now be required to pay $150 — up from $75. Second violations will be $300, up from $200.

Dog License Fees:

Altered: $25

Unaltered: $80

Seniors: $10

Late fee: additional 50%

Solid Waste Hauler Franchise Fee:

16%

Civil penalties and fines:

1st violation: $150

2nd violations: $300

All other violations: $500