Title
A Resolution setting the fees for the general business licenses issued by the City Clerk’s office
Presenter:
Sarah B. Johnson, City Clerk
Body
Summary:
The attached fee resolution and schedule establish the proposed general business license fees effective January?1,?2027. Exhibit?A outlines a three-year phase-in designed to reach 90% cost recovery by 2029. Fees for 2030 will include a one-time “catch-up” adjustment based on the total cumulative increase in the Denver/Boulder/Greeley CPI from 2027 through 2030, ensuring the fee fully reflects inflation over the initial phase-in period. Beginning in 2031, annual fee adjustments will reflect the year-over-year change in the Denver/Boulder/Greeley CPI, however any future fee amounts will not exceed the overall costs of the City Clerk’s licensing service.
Background:
The City Clerk’s Office periodically reviews general business license fees to ensure they align with the cost of administering licensing services and comply with the City’s User Fee Policy. Recent analyses show that current fees fall short of targeted cost-recovery levels, prompting development of an updated fee schedule.
General Business License fees were last updated in 2019 and, at that time, were set at 90% cost recovery. The current license fees are currently at approximately 53% cost recovery.
To address this gap responsibly and predictably, the proposed fee structure introduces a phased implementation over three years, achieving 90% cost recovery by 2029. This gradual approach supports both fiscal sustainability and business community transition.
Following this initial phase-in, the 2030 fee includes a one-time CPI “catch-up” adjustment reflecting the total cumulative inflation experienced between 2027 and 2030. Beginning in 2031, general business license fees will then automatically adjust annually based on the year-over-year change in the Denver/Boulder/Greeley CPI, ensuring long-term alignment with economic conditions. ...
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