Benjamin Franklin once said that nothing in life is certain but death and taxes, a sentiment that may still ring true two centuries later.

Taking effect Feb. 1, Corvallis residents can expect increased city service fees, according to a Dec. 31 City of Corvallis press release.

“City service fees are examined each year to ensure they are generating adequate revenue to fund the core services that the community relies on,” the press release states. “The costs to deliver these services — including materials, equipment, and personnel — are not immune from inflation.” 

According to an email from Patrick Rollens, City of Corvallis public information officer, “Periodic fee increases help ensure that the City can continue to provide the vital public services that our community relies on.” 

The fees will appear as monthly charges on City Services bills, with each fee representing a charge for a service shared among all Corvallis billing customers, according to the statement. 

Each fee is used to pay for a specific service, meaning that funds collected for one service cannot be used to pay for another service, the press release states. For example, funds collected through the Sidewalk Maintenance Fee cannot be used to pay Police Department expenses. 

According to Rollens, the majority of fee increases will be used to maintain current services such as police, fire and street maintenance. 

“For the urban forestry fee, part of the increase will go toward proactive planning for emerald ash borer,” Rollens said. “This is an invasive pest that will eventually be discovered in Corvallis. We are taking proactive action to plan for ash tree treatment programs and other prudent measures.”  

Rollens noted that the utility fees (water, wastewater and stormwater) also include investment in long-range capital projects, such as pipeline infrastructure and eventual new facilities. 

“The City Council regularly reviews the monthly fees that support city services and make adjustments to ensure the fees are bringing in adequate revenue,” Rollens said.

Rate adjustments are voted on annually by the City Council.

For instance, the transit operation fee, which supports fareless service on the Corvallis Transit System, is adjusted once a year based on the price of a gallon of gasoline.