Public Safety Fee Update

City of Central Point Public Safety Fee Update

Adoption of the New Tiered Rate Structure — Effective January 1, 2026

To keep Central Point safe and well-served, the City Council has approved a new tiered Public Safety Fee structure designed to more fairly distribute the cost of police services across homes, businesses, and major regional facilities. This change ensures our Police Department can continue delivering high-quality service while meeting the demands of a growing and more complex community.

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Why the Change?

Central Point has grown significantly — more homes, more retail, more industrial/logistics operations, and more service calls. While our community has expanded, the old Public Safety Fee (PSF) didn’t distinguish between a small office, a single-family home, or a 500,000 sq. ft. distribution center. Everyone paid roughly the same.

This meant residents were subsidizing high-impact commercial and regional facilities, even though those sites often generate far more police activity. The Council’s new tiered model fixes that.

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What the New Tiered Structure Does

The updated structure aligns the fee with actual service impact, using objective criteria such as building size, density, and trip generation.

Residential Rates

  • Single-Family Homes: $5.00/month
  • Multi-Family Units, Duplexes, Townhomes, ADUs, Senior Units: $4.00/month

These changes reflect differences in density and service patterns while keeping residential rates modest.

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Commercial & Industrial Rates (Tiers 1–3) 

Tier      Size                      Monthly Fee

Tier 1    Under 10,000 sq. ft.     $15

Tier 2    10,000–19,999 sq. ft.        $30

Tier 3    20,000–49,999 sq. ft.        $60

Smaller users pay less; larger, higher-impact users pay more — a more equitable approach for the long term.

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Tier 4: Major Regional Facilities

A business becomes Tier 4 if it exceeds:

  • 50,000 sq. ft. of building area, or
  • 500 average daily trips, determined using ITE Trip Generation Manual standards.

Tier 4 Rate: $180/month

Examples include Amazon, FedEx Ground, Costco, and major travel centers/industrial centers — uses that generate significant traffic, nighttime activity, and service demand.

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Schools & Churches

  • Public schools: Exempt (due to the School Resource Officer partnership).
  • Private and charter schools: $30/month.
  • Churches: Tier 1 ($15/month) unless the building is over 50,000 sq. ft. (due to limited hours of operation).

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What This Means for the Community

For Residents

  • Modest monthly adjustments ($4–$5).
  • A reduction in the subsidy previously borne by homeowners.
  • Continued investment in police staffing, equipment, and emergency response.

For Businesses

  • A structure that reflects real operational impact.
  • Predictability and transparency for long-term planning.

For the City

  • Revenue estimated between $550,000–$600,000 annually, supporting the Police Department’s sustainability and readiness (current flat utility fee of $3.00 per month generates 325K annually).
  • A modernized fee model that grows with the community.

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When Does the Change Take Effect?

January 1, 2026, beginning with the first full utility billing cycle.

If residents or businesses have questions about their tier or how the new fees work, the City will provide individual account guidance and additional information on the city website and utility inserts.