CC - Item 4A - Citywide User Fee Study0
City of Rosemead
Agenda Report
•
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: ANDREW C. LAZZARETTO, CITY MANAGE
DATE: MAY 9, 2006
SUBJECT: CITYWIDE USER FEE STUDY
SUMMARY
On December 15, 1992, the Rosemead City Council enacted user fees for planning,
engineering, park & recreation, and development permitting services. Since that time,
the City has not conducted a comprehensive user fee study to determine whether or not
our current fee structure is in alignment with the true cost of providing such services.
In response to this concern, the City requested a proposal from MuniFinancial on April
6, 2006, regarding the preparation of a comprehensive Citywide user fee study. Such
an analysis would examine the true cost of providing certain municipal services to the
community, resulting in the creation of an updated user fee schedule that when
collected, will generate enough revenue to cover the actual cost of the service being
provided. If the City Council wishes to commission such a report, an allocation of
$42,500 will have to be made from available fund balance.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager or his designee to
enter into an agreement with MuniFinancial for an amount not to exceed $42,500 for the
purpose of commissioning a Citywide user fee study, and to appropriate the required
funding from available fund balance.
ANALYSIS
User Fee Overview
A user fee is charged and collected only from those individuals who choose to use a
particular municipal service, as such fees are not levied or collected from everyone in
the community.
It is a best practice for user fees to be set at a level which reflects the actual cost of
providing specialized fee-based City programs, such as development reviews and
recreation classes. When an appropriate user fees schedule is not implemented, the
general fund ends up subsidizing a portion of the cost of providing that enhanced
service.
City Council Meeting •
May 9, 2006
Page 2 of 4
User Fee History
The City Council first enacted user fees in 1992 for planning, engineering, park &
recreation, and development permitting services. Since that time, there have been no
increases to any user fee, and staff believes that it is appropriate and necessary at this
time to conduct a review of the current schedule.
Such a study will allow the City to better understand the actual costs borne for providing
a variety of fee-based services, and the resulting report will serve as a useful tool to
assist the City Council in determining at what level fees should be set.
For comparative purposes, staff reviewed the total percentage increase in the
Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Los Angles-Riverside-Orange County area between
1992 and 2005. Over that time period, CPI increased a total of 36.08%, as indicated in
Figure 1 below. Also, as mentioned earlier, the City has not adjusted its user fees since
they were first adopted in 1992.
F/gure 1
Scope of Work
MuniFinancial is proposing to review and analyze fees for the following departments:
■ Building
■ Community Development
■ City Clerk
■ Finance
■ Engineering
■ Planning
■ Parks and Recreation
City Council Meeting •
May 9, 2006
Page 3 of 4
Study Methodology
The goal of this exercise is to develop a fee schedule for the City Council's
consideration that is legal, understandable, fair, and easy to calculate. To accomplish
this objective, staff will first work with MuniFinancial to compile an inventory of the
current services offered by the City for which a user fee either is or could be charged.
Based on that analysis, MuniFinancial will then calculate the actual cost of providing
each of those services. This data can then be used to create an accurate fee schedule
that will generate enough revenue to ensure that the City can recover the costs
associated with offering fee-based municipal services.
Increase In Development Activity
The increasing development activity that has occurred in the City over past several
years is another important consideration to take into account when considering the
City's fee schedule. Based on the high number of inquires that staff has been receiving
regarding possible future developments, it is anticipated that there will be an increased
demand for development related services over the next several years.
By moving forward with a comprehensive review of Rosemead's fee structure now, the
City can position itself to better address the issue of the general fund subsidizing fee-
based development services. Indeed, with the anticipated increase in construction
activity, implementing an updated and accurate user fee schedule will ensure that
development interests pay for the actual cost of planning, engineering, and
development permitting services.
Timeline
If the City Council decides to move forward with this proposal, MuniFinancial has
indicated that it will take around 4 months to complete the study. This means that a
final report should be ready for the City Council to review in mid-September.
One advantage of authorizing the user fee study now is that staff will have an
opportunity to coordinate and align the process more closely with the development of
the 2006-2007 City Budget. By starting work with the team from MuniFinancial now,
staff can coordinate the process to ensure that the City is able to implement a new fee
structure for the coming fiscal year.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
There are monies available in the general fund balance to appropriate for the purpose of
engaging the services of MuniFinanical to prepare a Citywide User Fee Study.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process.
City Council Meeting •
May 9, 2006
Page 4 of 4
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager or his designee to
enter into an agreement with MuniFinancial for an amount not to exceed $42,500 for the
purpose of commissioning a Citywide user fee study, and to appropriate the required
funding from available fund balance.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the staff recommendation, there are the following alternatives for the City
Council's consideration:
1. Request additional information.
2. Take no action.
Prepared by:
Oliver Chi
Director of Administrative Services
CADotametds and SeMnpelodd.C"Y0FR65EMEADW V Docurne M%Stan Reporte~ Fee Study Contract (May 9. 2006).doc
Attachment A: MuniFinancial Proposal
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C~
ATTACHMENT A
MuniFinancial Proposal
to the
City of Rosemead
Comp
OMuniFinandal
Study
27368 Via Industria, Suite 110, Temecula, California 92590
m Muni*ancial •
April 6, 2006
Andy Lazzaretto
City Manager
City of Rosemead
8838 E. Valley Blvd
Rosemead, CA 91770
Re: Proposa to Prepare a Comprehensive User Fee Study for the City of Rosemead
Dear Mr.
MuniFinancial ' pleased to submit this proposal to prepare a Comprehensive User Fee Study for the
City of Rosemead. We are ideally suited to undertake this support for the City for the following
reasons:
• Experienced Project Team: The project team we have assembled for the City of Rosemead
r includes Sanjay Gaur, Principal Consultant, as principal-in-charge of the project with Marshall
f' Eyerman, Principal Consultant, serving as project manager and the City's primary contact.
Toyasha Black, Brandan Landsdorf, and Theresa Nguyen will provide analytical support. Brian
7 Jewett, Financial Consulting Services Division Manager, will also serve as technical advisor for
this engagement. This team represents our best rates and fees experience and I am certain we can
successfully partner with City staff to provide you excellent service and results.
• Depth of Experience: MuniFinancial has significant experience in preparing User Fee Studies
to agencies across California. Our recent clients have included the cities of Bellflower, Orange
1 and El Monte.
i
• Firm Stability and Support: MuniFinancial is one of the largest public sector financial
consulting firms in the United States. In our 17-year history, we have helped hundreds of public
agencies and nonprofit organizations successfully address a broad range of financial challenges.
With over 80 employees, we have the resources to assure your project will be conducted to the
highest quality standards.
We appreciate this opportunity to present our credentials for your review and hope that we may be of
service to you in the near future. If you have any questions regarding this proposal, please contact
Brian Jewett, Division Manager, at (951) 587-3568 or via email to brianjna.muni.com. I am also
available at (951) 587-3505 (email: frankt@muni.com) should you need assistance.
Sincerely,
MuniFinancial
Frank G. Tripepi
President and CEO
Enclosure
27368 I is Lrduitiia, Ste. 110 Tel. (951) 587-3500
Temecula, California 92590 11INK11J1Jllia •Om Fax (951) 587-3510
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................1
STUDY PLAN 2
Project Approach 2
Scope of Services 4
Project Schedule 8
FEE FOR SERVICES 9
PROJECT TEAM 10
Project Management
10
Team Member Resumes
11
Sanjay Gaur
12
Marshall Eyerman
13
Toyasha Black
14
Brandan Landsdorf
15
Theresa Nguyen
16
Brian Jewett
17
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 19
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INTRODUCTION
i
J In this introduction we provide our understanding of the project and objectives in response to
the City of Rosemead's request. We also include information regarding our contact for the
proposal.
PROJECT UNDERSTANDING
We understand that the City of Rosemead is seeking consulting services to prepare a
Comprehensive User Fee Study of the following City departments: Building; Community
Development; City Clerk; Finance; Engineering; Planning; and Parks and Recreation. While the
City is primarily developed, a current user fee schedule for each of these departments will help
the City recover its costs of providing future services.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
MuniFinancial's objectives for the project are to:
• Determine the full cost of services covered by existing user fees; and
I • Utilize a method that is defensible, equitable, user friendly, and easy to update.
MuniFinancial can provide the best support available to the City of Rosemead in meeting these
objectives.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Mr. Brian Jewett, Division Manager
MuniFinancial
27368 Via Industria, Ste. 110
Temecula, CA 92590
Tel: (951) 587-3568 Fax: (951) 587-3510
Email: brianj@muni.com
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STUDY PLAN
hluniFinancial's approach to the City of Rosemead's Comprehensive User Fee Study is described
below, followed by our proposed scope of services.
PROJECT APPROACH
MuniFinancial's Financial Consulting Services Group has specific expertise preparing user fee
studies and documentation. Our approach includes:
• Close coordination with public agency staff to devise a consensus approach;
Strict adherence to key legal and policy issues with regard to service fees, including the
percent of cost recovery that the agency seeks to achieve. A user fee should be set no higher
than the reasonable cost of providing a fee-generating service. Our approach is aimed to
provide each agency with a fee schedule that achieves maximum legal cost recovery while
ensuring that each fee is supported by legally defensible documentation; and,
• Technical analysis necessary for project participants to resolve policy issues.
We believe there are two (2) basic approaches to calculating user fees, as described below:
Case Study Method. This approach estimates the actual labor and material costs associated with
providing a unit of service to a single user, using a time and materials approach. The case study
method is often used when the cost for the service may vary substantially between users, or when
the service is only provided intermittently. Costs are estimated based on interviews with staff
regarding the time typically spent on specific tasks, and review of available records.
Average Cost Method: This approach estimates costs per unit of service by taking the total
costs associated with a service across a substantial sample period, such as a year, and dividing by
the total number of service units delivered over the same period. This approach is useful when a
service is provided on a routine basis and the staff and other costs associated with the service can
be segregated out from available budget data.
Typically, we recommend the use of the case study methodology. This method is the most
flexible in that unit costs can be isolated for easier adjustments in the future. Using this approach,
we examine an agency's fee structure from the "bottom up." A typical "case study" fee model
should have four (4) general cost layers (see Figure 1, User Fee Components):
• Personnel Costs. This category refers to the direct salary and benefits costs of staff hours
spent on providing a fee-generating service, for example, the onsite building inspector.
• Department Overhead. This category may include expenses related to such items as office
supplies, outside consultants and membership dues. It may include management, supervision
and administrative support not provided to a direct, fee-generating service. Typically, these
items are charged directly to the department, division or project on an item-by-item basis.
• Interdepartmental Overhead. Interdepartmental overhead consists of costs from other
operating departments directly related to the provision of a service. Examples might include
police vehicles assigned to assist with crowd control during a parade permitted by Parks and
Recreation, or Public Works maintenance vehicles used to clean streets after the parade or
other permitted event.
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• Citywide Indirect Central Services. This category may involve costs such as labor,
services and supplies that benefit more than one department, division or project. The exact
benefits to specific areas are impossible to ascribe to a single activity. Examples are
purchasing, human resources and liability insurance. These costs are calculated in the
overhead cost review as part of the User Fee Study.
User Fee Components
Figure 1
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~:`J SCOPE OF SERVICES
Below we present our proposed scope of services for the Comprehensive User Fee Study by task.
This work plan is a standard approach that can be used for reviewing and updating the City's user
fees. Our approach can be modified to fit the City of Rosemead's unique situation. The end
result is a defensible, easily understood fee schedule that provides allowable cost recovery for
City services so that general fund revenues are not diverted from general services to the public at
large. We will present an analysis of the City's existing fee schedule and fee setting process along
with a model that can be used to periodically update City fees.
When analyzing development-related user fees (e.g., planning, engineering, and building and
safety), we routinely coordinate with staff from our affiliate company, Willdan. These staff
members provide engineering, planning, and building and safety services for many public
agencies. We work with Willdan planners, engineers, plan checkers, and inspectors to better
understand the processes of such activities as building inspection, plan check services,
engineering and current planning services. As a result of these efforts, we are better able to
identify the true costs of providing these services to the individual applicant and make our fee
schedules and reports complete and defensible documents for future City use.
We propose to review and analyze the user fees listed below, as authorized by the City for
specific departments. We will study fees in use within the:
• Building Department;
• Community Development Department;
• City Clerk;
• Finance Department;
• Engineering Department;
• Planning Department; and
+ Parks and Recreation Department.
We will not perform work measurement time and motion studies. For parks and community
services, our analysis will focus on cost recovery at the program level (i.e., youth sports, contract
classes, seniors, etc.).
Taxes, fines, rental fees, utility rates, development impact fees and penalties are not "user fees"
and will not be part of our study for this scope of services. However, we will advise the City
regarding additional study efforts it may pursue to evaluate fee categories not considered user
fees. Should the City wish to add or delete other department fee schedules to this analysis, we will
discuss the amended scope and budget relative to these changes.
~j VALUAT/ON-BASEO FEE CONVERSION TO ACTUAL COSTS
It is general practice for many jurisdictions to base certain permit and plan review fees on the
value of the proposed construction project. The Mitigation Fee Act requires that user fees
represent the reasonable estimated costs of providing the service. Recent court decisions in
California have determined that using value-based fees are generally not acceptable. We
recommend establishing a new fee schedule for valuation-based fees by converting the fees to an
actual costs basis such as square footage. Accordingly, our proposed scope of services includes
tasks related to converting valuation based fees to actual cost based fees.
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TASK 1: KICK-OFF/REFINE SCOPEAND OBTAIN DOCUMENTS
The objective of this task is to gain an understanding of the City's vision for the User Fee Study
and the City's cost-recovery policy for user fees. For this task, we schedule one (1) kickoff
meeting with City staff to determine goals and objectives, City organizational structure, its
policies and procedures for public service delivery, and implementation strategy. We also will
obtain and review relevant documentation to further enhance our understanding of the issues. A
written request for specific data will be sent to the City well in advance of the meeting.
TASK 2: COMPILE INVENTORY OF CURRENT AND POTENTIAL FEES
During the initial site visit, we will discuss our data requirements and the existing fee schedule
with City representatives. We bring "best practices" fee schedules from other cities to facilitate
these initial discussions. The "best practices" fee schedules illustrate the appropriate fee structure
for each service and identify new fees the City could implement. Our fee study consultants
monitor creative new fees recently adopted by other cities, and will discuss these options with
staff. We will consider the fee schedule provided to us by the City to comprise the parameters of
our study. We will accept one (1) iteration of fee additions to the schedule we will examine.
Changes to the number of fees studied may result in a corresponding increase to our fee for
services.
TASK 3: DATA COLLECTION
For this task, we gather relevant cost of service data necessary to calculate and understand fees
under study. We gather and examine relevant plans, polices, budgets and staffing records
associated with agency services and programs. In addition, we interview City staff that directly
manages these services. This task may include interviewing senior staff members from other
departments within the City.
We suggest an approach for data collection that employs scheduling a data gathering and review
meeting following the initial kickoff meeting. Prior to that time we review the fee schedules
provided at the kickoff meeting to gain an understanding of the scope of each service. Based on
our understanding of the services being studied, we will generate Time and Materials Survey
'i worksheets for senior departmental supervisory staff members to fill out representing their
reasonable estimates of the time required for each separate task. During the process, we will
instruct the staff members on the best methods to complete the provided form during each step
of the process. Once these worksheets are completed, we will follow-up with the staff members
to verify and agree upon the responses. If revisions are needed, we will accept up to one (1)
iteration of worksheet refinements during the study.
Note: Data collection tasks include those steps needed to convert valuation-based fees to an
actual cost basis.
We will perform one (1) site visit with appropriate City staff for data collection and survey
completion discussion purposes.
TASK 4: APPLY INDIRECT COSTS
The purpose of this task is to identify an appropriate overhead allocation. To arrive at fully
burdened hourly rate and "cost recovery" fee levels, we will incorporate indirect cost figures
derived from the Clrv's current Central Services Cost Allocation/Indirect Cost Plan into our
direct cost calculations.
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TASK 5: DEVELOP MASTER FEE MODEL/DRAFT REPORT
This task involves the development of a fee model to calculate revised departmental fees based
on data and information gathered in previous tasks. To ensure that City policies are met through
the imposition of the calculated fees, the model will be formatted to include appropriate costs.
Key model inputs will include staff and allocated overhead costs per position, and relevant
budget data on salaries and benefits.
We will calculate revised fee schedules and present them for discussion with City staff. Based on
the data collected and the fee model developed, we will calculate fees based on 100% frill cost
recovery. The schedule will provide for cost recovery up to the amount allowed by law and
requested as a matter of City policy. We will prepare the draft fee schedule in a format that can be
easily incorporated into fee ordinances for consideration by the City Council prior to adoption.
In addition, we will endeavor to ensure that the services for which fees are charged are clearly
defined, understandable and internally consistent.
We will also recommend that the fee ordinance include an annual adjustment factor that may be
applied to the fee schedule during the annual examination of City user fees to ensure that normal
unit cost increases are reflected in the fee schedule. The legal authority for the imposition of such
a cost escalator is found in Government Code Section 66022. Typically, the percentage change
can be based on the local Consumer Price Index or the Employee Cost Index for State and Local
Government Employees, Total Compensation as released by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of
Labor Statistics.
We will provide the model in an easy to understand Microsoft Excel format, which City staff can
use to calculate fee changes annually, or as often as deemed appropriate by the City Council.
TASK 6: COMPARISON SURVEY (OPTIONAL)
As an optional service, we will access and use our knowledge of other jurisdictions to benchmark
the City of Rosemead's fees with neighboring jurisdictions and provide recommendations based
on this information, if appropriate. Fee schedules are rarely readily comparable from city to city
due to definitional and operational differences. A grading permit in one city may include the plan
check service, while the same permit in another city may not, resulting in similar sounding
services with widely varying costs. Without substantial investigative work it is not possible to
ensure that all comparisons are exactly alike or present exact parallels.
TASK 7: DISCUSS DRAFT REPORT/PROPOSE ALTERNATIVE FEE
STRUCTURES
The goal of this task is to conduct an in-depth review of the draft report and the master fee
model and finally arrive at an optimum fee structure. Often through the course of an
engagement, City staff will volunteer insightful likes and dislikes regarding the existing fee
structure. We listen to this feedback carefully because your staff members know the Rosemead
community best. Comments usually revolve around issues of 1) understandability, 2) fairness to
applicants, and 3) ease of calculation. When adjusting fee levels, we believe it is a good idea to
address these concerns as well.
We will review the draft report/fee model results with City staff during one (1) telephone
conference call. If there are revisions to be made to the model, we will make up to two (2)
revisions to the model and its data based on City input. Further revisions or scenarios will be
agreed upon by the City and bluniFinancial and will be subject to an additional fee based on the
time and corresponding hourly billing rates required to perform the additional revisions and
scenarios.
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MuniFinancial will document the current fee structure and review suggested alternatives with the
City to determine whether to incorporate meritorious fee structure alternatives. Fee structure
alternatives include flat, scaled, percentage-based and hourly rate-based fees.
TASK 8: PREPARE FINAL USER FEE REPORT AND DOCUMENTATION
This task is the culmination of the entire project. It is the most important task in that it provides
the required fee documentation. Based on staff comments to the draft report, we will prepare a
final draft for presentation at one (1) meeting with the City Council.
We will provide up to ten (10) bound copies; one (1) unbound copy and an electronic PDF file
copy of the final report to the City. An updateable electronic copy of the study and related
schedules will also be provided on CD/ROM using Microsoft Word and Excel.
MEETINGS
The Project Manager will attend meetings. We will work with City staff to set up meetings to
keep the project on schedule.
Our overall scope of services includes up to a total of three (3) meetings as outlined in our
scope of services and summarized below. Telephone conference calls are not considered to be
meetings for purposes of this scope of services.
Kick-off Meeting: One (1) project kick-off meeting to refine the project plan and schedule, and
to gather initial data.
Data Collection: One (1) site visit to perform data collection and conduct survey interviews.
Presentation of Results: One (1) presentation of results to City Council.
CITY STAFF SUPPORT
' To complete our tasks on schedule, we will need the cooperation of City staff. We suggest that
the City assign a key individual as project manager for the City who can function as our primary
contact.
We will expect the City's project manager (1) to help coordinate responses to requests for
information, (2) coordinate review of work products and (3) help resolve policy issues. To meet
the schedule outlined in our proposal we will expect responses to initial information requests
within one week, and follow up requests within one week. If there are delays on the part of the
City, we will need to adjust our project schedule accordingly.
We will keep the City's project manager informed of data or feedback we need to keep the
project on schedule. MuniFinancial will endeavor to minimize the impact on City staff in the
completion of this project.
However, we anticipate that senior staff will be required to spend some time with our consultants
during the initial tasks for interviews about allocation methodologies. Typically, staff time during
the interview process is estimated at one (1) to two (2) hours per staff person per interview. We
also require two (2) to four (4) hours of supervisor time in each department to review and
comment on the draft report. We further anticipate eight (8) to twelve (12) hours of review and
comments by finance staff prior to completion of the final report.
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PROJECT SCHEDULE
We estimate that NluniFinancial can complete this project within sixteen (16) weeks of notice
to proceed. This is an aggressive schedule that can only be met with the cooperation of City
staff. Delays in responding to our requests for data and review will result in corresponding delays
to the project schedule. We will work in concert with City of Rosemead staff to develop specific
project dates and milestones.
" MuniFinancial
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FEE FOR SERVICES
We will perform the services described herein for the fixed price fee of $42,500.
Notes.
• The cost of performing the fee study can be included in the resulting fee schedules.
Therefore, over time, the City can recover the initial outlay of funds to complete the study.
• Our fee includes all direct expenses associated with the project.
• Optional service for Task 6 is not included in the fixed price fee, above. Our fee for this
additional service will be quoted upon request.
• Our fee includes a total of three (3) meetings as described in our scope of services. We will
attend additional meetings as requested and for an additional fee.
• We will perform additional tasks outside our scope of services as authorized by the City of
Rosemead and for an additional fee.
• We will invoice the City of Rosemead monthly based on percentage of project completed.
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PROJECT TEAM
We have selected senior professionals for the City of Rosemead's project. We are confident that
- the MuniFinancial team has a depth of experience that will successfully fulfill the City's desired
work performance.
Mr. Sanjay Gaur, Principal Consultant in our Financial Consulting Services Group, will serve as
principal-in-charge. As principal-in-charge, Mr. Gaur will provide for timely completion of the
project and adequate resourcing.
Mr. Marshall Eyerman, Principal Consultant, will serve as project manager. As project
manager, he will provide expert advice and oversee the quality of work products. Mr. Eyerman
will be the City's day-to-day contact for the User Fee Study and will be present at meetings
related to the project.
Analytical support will be provided by staff analysts in our Temecula office, including Ms.
Toyasha Black, Senior Analyst, Mr. Brandan Landsdorf, Analyst, and Ms. Theresa Nguyen,
Analyst. They will work under the direction of Mr. Eyerman, who will assign additional resources
to the team if necessary.
+FF+,,~.. Mr. Brian Jewett, Financial Consulting Services Division Manager, will serve as technical
advisor throughout the project, affording the team the benefit of his experience with cost-of-
service strategies.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Li As a successful consulting firm, we understand the importance of project management and team
support. MuniFinancial has successfully guided diverse consultant teams through many projects
for the benefit of our clients.
When selecting project team members, we structure roles based on client needs and the expertise
required to successfully accomplish each task. The project manager is responsible for ensuring
that the project proceeds according to schedule and is managed according to client expectations.
The project manager will oversee the project, can assign additional resources if necessary, and
f l assure timely response as well as a quality product.
!_J The goal of project management is to achieve the client's objectives on schedule and within
budget. To accomplish this, we employ a variety of tools to monitor project status and to ensure
effective communication with the client and between project team members.
Project Monitoring. The project manager monitors budget status through our online
accounting system. The system captures project labor costs, overhead and direct expenses on a
weekly basis. Project managers continually monitor the budget and compare costs to work
performed to date. In our experience, the system is an invaluable tool for reducing cost overruns
and budget amendments, a tool often not found in other consulting firms.
Financial Consulting Services principals and project managers meet weekly to assess the status of
each project and to direct staff. These weekly meetings ensure that staffing constraints are
identified early and resources reallocated to keep projects on budget and on schedule. These
meetings also provide a forum for applying the group's collective expertise to solving difficult
analytical issues that arise in complex projects.
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Client Communication. To remain informed about project status, clients can choose among
several communication options based on their preferences. We can provide regular updates by e-
mail, phone call, meetings, or project status memos. The status memo is particularly effective
because it documents work completed to date, status of remaining tasks, and identification of
outstanding issues that require input from the client.
Quality Control. The project manager assigned to the project provides quality control and
quality assurance. The project manager reviews interim and final work products before
transmittal to the client to ensure that they meet MuniFinancial's quality standards.
TEAM MEMBER RESUMES
Resumes for the team of professionals MuniFinancial will devote to the City of Rosemead's
engagement follow for your review.
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10 Years Experience
Areas of Expertise
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SANJAY GAUR
Sanjay Gaur brings to MuniFinancial over 10 years of public consulting
experience with particular emphasis in financial modeling and rate analysis.
Within the Financial Consulting Services Group, Mr. Gaur leads a team of
analysts that prepares user fee (cost-of-service) studies and cost allocation
plans for our clients across the West.
Mr. Gaur's prior experience has involved the development of sophisticated
Excel models that can perform sensitivity analysis in the areas of financial and
rate analysis. He has provided technical analysis expertise to the following
utility agencies: Anaheim Public Utilities District, American Water, Irvine
Ranch Water District, Los Angeles Department of Power and Water,
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Monterey Peninsula
Water Management District, Municipal Water District of Orange County, San
Diego County Water Authority, and Santa Clara Valley Water District. He has
also consulted municipalities on public-private partnerships in utility services.
In India, he worked with the largest NGO, Sulabh International, on
evaluating its biogas program for sanitation. As a Peace Corps volunteer In
Bulgaria, he consulted with municipalities in developing environmental
programs that involve the active engagement of the private sector.
Related Experience
Responsible for managing cost allocation and user fee study efforts for the
Financial Consulting Services Group. As team leader, Mr. Gaut is responsible
for reviewing and providing technical guidance on work products, ensuring
adequate resourcing and overseeing client interaction. Past clients include:
• City of Bellflower, CA - Cost Allocation Plan and Comprehensive User
Fee Study
• City of Calimesa, CA - Cost Allocation Plan and Comprehensive User
Fee Study
• City of Madera, CA - User Fee Study (Development Departments)
• City of Orange, CA - Cost Allocation Plan and Comprehensive User
Fee Study
• City of Phoenix, AZ - Development Services Fee Study
• City of Rocklin, CA - Building Department Fee Study
• City of San Carlos, CA - Cost Allocation Plan and Comprehensive
User Fee Study
• City of South El Monte - Cost Allocation Plan and Comprehensive
User Fee Study
• City of Tehachapi, CA - Building Planning and Engineering User Fee
Studv
Page 12
MuniFinandal
i
10 Years Experience
Areas of Expertise
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MARSHALL EYERMAN
Having been associated with MuniFinancial since May of 1997, Marshall
Eyerman is currently a Principal Consultant in the Financial Consulting
Services Group at MuniFinancial. A professional with ten years of experience
in all facets of municipal finance, Mr. Eyerman is one of MuniFinancial's most
diversely knowledgeable team members. He has significant experience in
preparing cost of service analyses, fiscal impact analyses and development
impact fee studies. Mr. Eyerman is also deeply experienced in special district
formations, and is one of our lead consultants for community facilities district
formation projects.
Dedicated to his craft, Mr. Eyerman is involved in various organizations, such
as the California Society of Municipal Finance Officer, National Association
of Bond Lawyers and National Federation of Municipal Analysts and routinely
offers educational sessions detailing aspects of the analysis process to clients
and internal staff.
Mr. Eyerman came to MuniFinancial with experience performing financial
analysis and providing investment advice as a Licensed Registered
Representative. His very first duties at the firm were focused on local
improvement districts. He worked within the District Administration Services
group. He then worked within the Federal Compliance Group, focusing on
the development of continuing disclosure practices, before moving to the
Financial Consulting Services Group.
Related Experience
Mr. Eyerman's past clients include:
• City of Calexico, CA
• City of Chowchilla, CA
• City of El Centro, CA
• County of Fresno, CA
• City of Fresno, CA
• City of Hemet, CA
• City of Indio, CA
• City of Los Angeles, CA
• City of Palm Springs, CA
• City of Rio Vista, CA
• Tracy Operating Partnership Joint Powers Authority, CA
• Stockton Public Financing Authority, CA
Page 13
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5 Years Experience
Areas of expertise
Education
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TOYASHA BLACK
Toyasha Black is a Senior Analyst within the Financial Consulting Services
Group at MuniFinancial. Her responsibilities include supporting project
managers and conducting fiscal analyses on user rates, cost allocation plans,
and utility rate studies. Client interaction also falls under her purview.
Prior to her employment with MuniFinancial, Ms. Black worked as a
Management Analyst for the City of Arcadia's Public Works Services
Department. Her duties included extensive review of the department's user
fee information, maintenance tracking and budgeting system, establishing
utility billing rates (water, sewer, and refuse), and overseeing environmental
programs. She is a new member of Muni's staff, joining the firm in 2006.
Related Experience
• City of Arcadia, CA - Water and Sewer Rate Study
• City of Huntington Park, CA - Cost Allocation Plan
• City of Madera, CA - Development Services Fee Study
• City of Orange, CA - Cost Allocation Plan
• City of Richmond, CA - Cost Allocation Plan and User Fee Study
• City of Rocklin, CA - Building Fee Study
• City of Shasta Lake, CA - Building and Planning User Fee Study
M MuniFinancial
Page 1.1
2 Years Experience
BRANDAN LANOSOORF
Areas of expertise
Brandan Landsdorf is an Analyst I in the Financial Consulting Services
Group at MuniFinancial. His responsibilities include supporting project
managers for utility rate studies, district formation projects, and
Proposition 218 compliance activity, among other actions. His work also
includes identifying and verifying parcels within district boundaries;
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researching land use; researching missing data and coordinating and
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conducting activities involved with the assessment balloting process.
Related Experience
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• Town of Florence, AZ, Sewer, Water and Sanitation Rate
Studies: Analyst responsible for data gathering and assisting the
Project Highlights
Principal Consultant with designing a model and tables for the study.
• City of Indio, CA, Water Rate Study: Analyst responsible for data
gathering, rate modeling and assisting the Principal Consultant with
designing a model and tables for the study.
• City of Coacbella, CA, Water Rate Study: Analyst responsible
Education
for data gathering, rate modeling and assisting the Principal
Consultant with designing a model and tables for the study.
• City of Upland, CA, EMS User Fee Study: Analyst responsible
for data gathering, fee modeling and assisting the Principal
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Consultant with designing the study and drafting the report.
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• City of Calimesa, CA, Cost Allocation Plan and
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Comprehensive User Fee Study: Analyst responsible for data
gathering, fee modeling and assisting the Principal Consultant with
designing the study and drafting the report.
• City of Rialto, CA, Landscaping and Ligbting District
Formation: Analyst responsible for parcel research and assisting
with the preparation of budgets and reports.
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• City of Riverbank, CA, Landscaping and Ligbting District
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Formation: Analyst responsible for compiling parcel data,
preparation of a boundary map, and assisting with the preparation of
budget and reports.
• City of Perris, CA, Community Facilities District Formation:
Analyst assisted with the preparation of the special tax calculations,
researched property tax information for relevant parcels, and was
responsible for the preparation and recording of the map.
MuniFinancial
Page 15
THERESA N GUYEN
Areas of Expertise
Theresa Nguyen is an Analyst I within the Financial Consulting Services
Group at MuniFinancial. Her responsibilities include supporting project
managers and conducting fiscal analyses on rates and fee studies.
Prior to her employment with MuniFinancial, Ms. Nguyen served as an
Education/Training
accounting specialist for California Benefits Dental Plan in Orange, CA. She
also held a position as a Graduate Assistant at California State University,
-I dmmi;r1 ;
Long Beach. Her responsibilities included advising current and prospective
students on program requirements in the College of Business and developing
student information based on data from the OASIS mainframe.
Ms. Nguyen's experience includes volunteering as in the CSU, Long Beach
Mentoring Business Program and as a tutor with the Moreno Valley Library.
Related Experience
Fin:In~ ~ 1.1 r; r, r
Cost Allocation Plans. Supporting analyst in studies for:
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City of Los Altos, CA
City of Richmond, CA
• User Fee Studies. Supporting analyst in user fee studies for:
City of Phoenix, AZ - Development Services Fee Study
City of Orange, CA - Comprehensive Fee Study
City of Norwalk, CA - Comprehensive Fee Study
City of Huntington Park, CA - Comprehensive Fee Study
• Water Rate Studies - Supporting analyst for:
Port Hueneme, CA
• Water and Sewer Rate Studies - Supporting analyst for:
City of Rio Vista, CA
Page 16
M= Financial
12 Years BRIAN J EWETT
Experience
Areas of expertise
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Brian Jewett is Division Manager of the Financial Consulting Services
Group at MuniFinancial and works from the firm's Temecula office. His
background is in public administration for state and local government. He
specializes in fiscal analysis and financial services to local agencies. He is our
lead consultant for utility rate analyses and Proposition 218 compliance and
re-engineering projects.
Prior to joining MuniFinancial, Mr. Jewett gained over five years of
experience working for state and local government, including staff positions
within the City and County of San Francisco and the County of San Diego
and an internship position with the City of Poway, California. He consulted
on land use planning issues for communities within the State of Delaware and
was a consultant to the Governor's Cabinet Committee on State Planning.
Related Experience
• Cost of Service Fee Study, City of Surprise, AZ: Mr. Jewett was the
project manager for this project. MuniFinancial was engaged by the City
of Surprise, Arizona to conduct a two-phase cost of service study for the
City. Phase one of the study required an in-depth organizational study of
the City's Community Development Department. Because the City is
experiencing phenomenal growth, City staff is finding it increasingly
difficult to provide high-quality customer service given limited staffing
and the application of dysfunctional work processes. MuniFinancial staff
assisted the City in its efforts to develop a coordinated and consolidated
workflow procedure to become more efficient and lessen the likelihood
of employee "burnout."
• Cost of Service Analysis, City of San Marcos, CA: Mr. Jewett was the
project manager for the review, analysis and subsequent update of the
City's Non-development Services department fees. As part of this project,
Mr. Jewett examined actual labor and material costs associated with
providing a unit of service to a single user. Mr. Jewett developed cost
layers for each service unit including direct labor hours, agency-wide
indirect central services and department overhead. The resulting fee
schedule allows the City to recover up to 100 percent of the costs
reasonably associated with fee service provision. Mr. Jewett also gathered
fee schedules from similar agencies to compare San Marcos' proposed
fees with other jurisdictions. The comparative fee matrix allowed City
Council and Staff to benchmark their updated fee schedule and impose
fees accordingly.
• Cost of Service Analysis, County of Marin, CA: Mr. Jewett was the
project manager for this project. MuniFinancial was engaged by the
County of Marin to develop new user fee schedules for the County
Planning and Environmental Health Services Divisions. MuniFinancial
was responsible for reviewing and updating the County user fees,
recommending new service fee areas, and providing legally defensible
documentation regarding the construction and implementation of the new
fees.
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Page 17
AML
• Cost of Service Fee Study, Town of Portola Valley: Mr. Jewett was the
project manager for this project. This study required a review and update
of the City's development-related service fees. Mr. Jewett also developed a
Construction Traffic Road Fee to recapture costs associated with
accelerated road damage due to construction traffic.
• Cost of Service Fee Study, City of Sierra Madre: Mr. Jewett was the
project manager for this project. This study required a review and update
of the City's development-related service fees. The purpose of this study
was to ensure that the new fees recover appropriate costs for providing
service to individual users and meet applicable legal standards.
• Water, Sewer, and Sanitation Rate and Fee Analyses, City of
Goodyear, AZ: Prepared rate and fee studies for water, sewer and
sanitation utility systems as well as impact fees. Mr. Jewett led this
comprehensive fee study.
raMuniFinancial
Page 18
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
FIRM PROFILE
#I,.
NluniFinancial, Willdan, Arroyo Geotechnical and American
Homeland Solutions are the four-company public service team that
has grown from the 1964 establishment of Willdan Engineering,
known today as The WILLDAN Group of Companies. This
"group of companies" provides financial and economic consulting,
civil and structural engineering, planning, geology and geotechnical
engineering, and security consulting services for public sector
clients throughout California and across the nation.
MuniFinancial provides financial and economic consulting for
growth planning, revenue generation, debt administration and
municipal services, with specialties such as ongoing municipal
ZMuniFinancial disclosure and arbitrage rebate compliance. Established in 1988,
N1uniFinancial has worked with more than 600 public agencies
throughout the United States.
Willdan is a full-service, multi-disciplinary California corporation
that specializes in consulting, engineering and planning services for
governmental agencies. Willdan has expanded in size, locations,
and service capabilities; thus becoming an industry leader in public
N~~V W I LLDAN works design, planning, and financing. Its staff of over 441
Serving Public Agencies professional and technical experts includes specialists in highways
and roadways, drainage and flood control, bridges, traffic and
transportation, municipal landscape architecture, environmental
planning; construction management, building and safety services,
urban and regional planning; water resources, structural
engineering, computer-aided analysis and design; and other
technical fields.
Arroyo Geotechnical offers a full complement of
geology/geotechnical engineering capabilities, including soils
AMA ARROYO engineering, earthquake and seismic hazard studies, geology and
V GEOTECFiNICAL hydrogeology engineering. Arroyo Geotechnical also maintains a
full-service geotechnical laboratory.
American Homeland Solutions (AHS) is a recently formed
subsidiary of WGC. AHS is dedicated to helping clients enhance
0M their preparedness and responsiveness to domestic security. AHS
S intends to partner with clients to assist them with obtaining
available funding and finding innovative security solutions. Some
A^'e*'m" Homeland so,_ r of the areas of opportunity include homeland security needs
assessments, school security planning, grant writing, public
education outreach, and emergency response training.
Page
MuniFinancial 19
V-1
INTRODUCTION TO MUNIFINANCIAL
MuniFinancial has the largest special district formation and administration practice in the
nation. We are also known as the pre-eminent municipal disclosure firm, and a major provider of
arbitrage rebate services. Our clients include cities, counties, state agencies, port authorities,
housing agencies, special districts and school districts in 34 states. Our staff of over 80
professionals acts as an extension of Agency staff, providing such services as:
Administration of special taxes, assessments, standby charges and utility rates;
Arbitrage rebate calculations;
Municipal disclosure reports preparation and dissemination;
Economic studies, such as fiscal analyses of new development, annexation and incorporation
studies and developer impact fees;
MuniFinancial provides the following
primary services:
✓ Federal Compliance Services
✓ District Administration Services
✓ Financial Consulting Services
Financial studies to identify funding sources or to
determine optimal utility rates, standby charges and
cost of services; and
MuniFinancial's success is based on a corporate philosophy of personal service. We provide
support throughout the year - and for years after. Clients can be assured that we can be reached
should any questions or issues arise.
We serve as an extension of our clients' staff, augmenting existing personnel by providing
specialized expertise. In support of this, MuniFinancial staff members regularly write articles and
conduct presentations for local, state and national organizations. We hold client workshops, and
conduct onsite training throughout the year to assist clients in keeping abreast of the latest
developments, while helping new Agency staff understand our services.
MuniFinancial focuses on the following client base:
✓ Cities
✓ School Districts
✓ Special Districts
• Community Services Districts
• Recreation and Park Districts
• Water Districts
• Vector Control Districts
District formation services for capital project
assessment/local improvement districts, community
facilities districts, landscaping and lighting districts,
and special taxes.
Page 20
MunFinancial
FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES GROUP
N1uniFinancial has been built on deep, continuing relationships with local government
department staff. With hundreds of ongoing client relationships in finance, engineering and other
services, we have been consistently called upon to assist staff with a range of special projects. In
response to this need, the Financial Consulting Services Group was created.
Our work incorporates excellent public communication strategies and skills. As voter
approval becomes the norm for revenue measures, we offer expertise in communicating
persuasive information to the targeted group, whether developers, land owners or the general
electorate. We provide clearly written report summaries, on-point public presentations and strong
meeting facilitation skills.
The table below provides an overview of Financial Consulting Services Group services.
FEES AND RATE STUDIES
User Fee Analysis
Utility Rate Modeling
Cost Allocation Studies
Budget Planning
DEVELOPMENT INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING
Developer Impact & Utility Connection
Infrastructure and Public Facilities
Fees for Capital Facilities
Financing Plans
Real Estate Market Analysis and
Capital Improvement Plans
Development Forecasts
SPECIAL DISTRICT FORMATION ASSISTANCE
Community Facilities District, including
Proposition 218 Benefit Analysis
Special Tax Analysis
1972 Act Landscaping & Lighting Districts
Fire Suppression Districts
Benefit Assessment Act of 1982 Districts
Bridge and Thoroughfare Districts
1913/1915 Act Bonded Assessment
Refunding Bond Analysis and
Districts
Reporting
Construction Acquisition Services
Notice and Ballot Preparation and
Mailing
ECONOMIC AND FISCAL POLICY ANALYSIS
LAFCO Annexation, Consolidation, or
Financial Modeling, Budget Analysis,
New Governmental Agency Formation
and Feasibility Studies
Studies
Fiscal Impact Analysis of Projects, Plans,
Economic Development and
and Policies
Economic Impact Studies
MMuniFinancial
Page 21
USER FEE EXPERIENCE AND REFERENCES
NluniFinancial has extensive experience preparing user fee studies. The table below contains
information on our recent user fee engagements. We are proud of our reputation for customer
service and encourage you to contact our past clients regarding our commitment to excellence.
MUNIFINANCIAL
SELECTED RECENT EXPERIENCE
USER FEE STUDIES
AGENCY
SERVICE
CONTACT
Pete Guisasola
City of Rocklin, CA
Building Dept User Fee Study
Chief Building Official
(916) 625-5000
Cost Allocation Plan &
Robert Stout
City of Vallejo, CA
User Fee Study
Finance Director
(707) 648-4592
Cost Allocation Plan, User Fee
Richard Averett
City of San Carlos, CA
Study &
Executive Director/CFO
Impact Fee Study
(650) 802-4205
Cindy Stotler
City of Phoenix, AZ
Development Services Special
Management Services
Revenue Fund and Fee Study
Administrator
(602) 262-7811
User Fee Study
David R. Tooley
City of Madera,. CA
Development Departments
City Administrator
(559) 661-5402
Lee Mingle
City of Bellflower, CA
Comprehensive User Fee Study
Assistant City Manager
(562) 804-1429
Dante Hall
City of El Monte, CA
Public Works & Planning Depts
Dpty City Mgr for
User Fee Studies
Community Development
(626) 580-2080
Richard Jacobs
City of Orange, CA
Comprehensive User Fee Study
Finance Director
(714) 744-2230
Town of Yucca Valley,
Comprehensive User Fee Study
Andy Takata
Town Manager
CA
(760) 369-6575
City of Palm Springs,
Cost Allocation Plan &
Troy Butzlaff
Asst City Manager
CA
Comprehensive User Fee Study
(760) 322-8336
Page 22
MuniFinandal