Facing a projected $1 million deficit for the proposed 2026-27 budget, the City of Sonoma recently undertook a fee study to determine ways to increase revenues.
Using a “cost recovery” methodology which analyses the actual costs incurred by the city in conducting its affairs such as development plan reviews, cemetery operations, conducting appeal hearings, replacing trees, and most other public-serving services, Matrix Consulting began its analysis in 2024. The result is a set of recommendations for the city to update its Master Fee Schedule which, if adopted, will significantly increase costs for the public.
The City of Sonoma relies in large part of fees to offset the cost of its operations. Payroll and its accompanying benefits and obligations like pensions, comprise the vast majority of costs for the city, and increase yearly. All but management personnel are represented by SEIU, a union, which negotiates rates and benefits for the city’s employees. In addition, the ordinary annual increase in costs for goods and services adds to the city’s expenses…