Date:August 27, 1999
To:Planning and Transportation Committee
From:Acting Commissioner, Urban Planning and Development Services
Subject:Year 2000 License Fees
Purpose:
To establish License Fees, new and renewal, for the period from September 30, 1999 through to December 31, 2000.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Based on model predictions, the Licensing component of the Municipal Licensing and Standards Division (Taxi Unit and
Business and Trades Licensing) will operate on a cost recovery basis, as allowed by law.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)Council approve the attached proposed schedule of license fees (Appendix 1); and
(2)the appropriate City officials be authorised and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
Background:
In order to accomodate renewal of various licences, fees are set anually in advance of budget, and in recognition of the
schedule for renewals.
Discussion:
In order to established license fees for the year 2000 we have reviewed and tested the model which was last reviewed in
1993 by the Chief Administrative Officer of the former Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto who found it to be "a
reasonable procedure of estimation of unit cost by license category on a full cost recovery basis."
The most recent verification, carried out by Price Waterhouse Coopers identified a few required formulae adjustments.
However their finding as that "The current review of the methodology has confirmed that the theoretical model is
reasonable for use in developing a rate recommendation for 2000." Upon running the model, including removal of charges
for rental accomodation and including imputed rent for City owned accomodation occupied by Licensing staff, it has been
determined that, within reasonable tolerances and recognizing directions of past Councils with respect to adjustments
within categories, the fees for the year 2000 should be the same as for 1999.
There are significant changes ongoing within the Taxi Unit. In the belief that matters would be fully resolved by mid year
1999, fees for taxi categories were set for part year, until September 30, October 28, and November 15, 1999. Changes are
not fully implemented , and we are recommending that fees for that category be set at the annualized 1999 rate with the
expiry dates being set one year from the 1999 expiry dates. The renewal rate for taxicab owners would be reduced by
$25.00, in recognition of the charge for emission testing which was not carried out following clarification that we could not
require such testing as it fell beyond our mandate. The same $25.00 reduction would be applied to renewals for livery cab
owners, driving school owners and driving instructors with cars, where the same charge had been built into 1999 rates.
The only other change in the fee schedule would be the addition of a renewal fee of $45.00 for Holistic Centres and
Holistic Practitioners.
Initial review has indicated that the probable issuance fee for an Ambassador Cab license will be in the order of $1200.00,
with a renewal rate in the order of $600.00. A further report will be submitted to confirm those rates and include them in
the Schedule.
We will be reporting at a later date on a plan for a comprehensive review of the Licensing By-law, which will include
development of an updated fee generation model.If for no other reason, a new model will be necessary to reflect the impact
of the new structure developed to better administer and enforce all licensing matters.
Conclusions:
Licensing fees should remain at 1999 levels with some minor adjustments to reflect portions of fees charged for emission
testing, and to add renewal fees for Holistic Centres and Holistic Practitioners.
Contact Name:
Harold Bratten
Acting Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards
392-8768
Reviewed by:
Harold Bratten JAMES RIDGE
Acting Executive DirectorActing Commissioner
Municipal Licensing and StandardsUrban Planning and Development Services