Report to: General Committee Report Date: June 13, 2008

SUBJECT: Vital Statistics/Service Fees

PREPARED BY: Frank Edwards, Ext. 3090

RECOMMENDATION:

That the service fee for issuing of a marriage licence be increased from $100.00 to $125.00; and,

That the service fee for the rental of the wedding chapel be increased from $150.00 to $175.00 (GST included); and,

That the service fee charged for Commissioner of Oaths and Certifications be increased from $15.00 to $20.00; and further,

That By-law 2002-276, as amended, be amended to include the new revised fees.

1. Purpose 2. Background 3. Discussion 4. Financial

5. Others (Environmental, Accessibility, Engage 21st, Affected Units) 6. Attachment(s)

PURPOSE:

To recommend increases to various administrative fees to reflect comparables in the other York Region municipalities.

BACKGROUND:

The Corporation of the Town of Markham is responsible for a number of administrative services, including issuing marriage licenses, Commissioner of Oaths and Certifications, and the rental of the marriage chapel for civil weddings. The following table details the services provided by the Town and the revenue generated for the above-mentioned services:

Service	2008 Revenue	2009 Proposed Revenue
Marriage Licences	$140,000	$175,000
Wedding Chapel Rentals	$ 50,000	$ 59,000
Commissioner of Oaths and Certification of General Documents	$ 14,000	$ 19,000

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

Staff is recommending that the fees associated with various administrative services provided by Legislative Services be increased as follows:

• Marriage licence issuance - increase from $100.00 to $125.00;
• Wedding chapel rental - increase from $150.00 to $175.00(inclusive of GST); and;
• Commissioner of Oaths/Certifications - increase from $15.00 to $20.00

Increasing the above-noted fees as proposed will generate additional revenue to the Town of approximately $50,000. The proposed fees are also consistent with those found in other York Region municipalities (see Appendix “A”).

Legislative Services staff is continuing to review its service delivery in a variety of areas to determine areas of possible efficiencies and/or increased revenue. For instance, in 2005, the Department introduced an extremely successful Civil Wedding Service, followed by a wedding photo permit system in 2007 and a marketing plan in 2008. Since the inception of the new wedding program, the base revenue budget has increased by an additional $80,000 for the Town. It is anticipated that the Town’s Civil Wedding Services will continue to grow with no additional staff resources in the foreseeable future. As a service provider to residents of Markham, the Clerk’s Office will continue to take advantage of any identified resource efficiencies.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)

The proposed administrative fee increases will result in approximately $50,000.00 of additional annual revenue. The projected increase in fees will take effect with the passing of the by-law amending the Fees and Charges By-law and that the increases be reflected in the Department’s 2009 budget submission.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Not applicable

RECOMMENDED BY:

________________________ ________________________

Sheila Birrell, Town Clerk Andy Taylor, Commissioner

Corporate Services

ATTACHMENTS:

Appendix “A” – 2008 FEE COMPARISON CHART IN York Region