Police and Fire Public Safety Fees

The City of Corvallis assesses two fees on City Services bills that support public safety in the community. Revenue from the fees is dedicated to supporting the Corvallis Police Department and Corvallis Fire Department. In order to keep pace with rising costs, these public safety fees are reviewed annually and adjusted by the City Council if needed.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the fees.

What are the fees and their purpose?
The public safety fees are charged monthly on the City of Corvallis City Services bill. Revenue from the fees goes towards law enforcement and fire services to maintain staffing and service levels.

Who pays the fees?
Anyone who receives a City Services bill from the City of Corvallis will see the fees on their monthly bill. The fees do not apply to people whose water meter is outside of Corvallis City limits, irrigation meters, or fire meters.

How much are the fees?
The fee varies by meter size. Most single-dwelling homes have a 5/8 inch to 3/4 inch sized meter. Initially, the combined fees came to $17.31 per month. The current fees are $33.64 as of February 1, 2025.

How are the fees  determined?
The fees are based on the Residential Meter Equivalent (RME) methodology. The RME is determined by the American Water Works Association’s methodology that reflects differences in demand for water service based on the size of the meter.

Why are the fees on my City Services bill?
By putting the fee on your City Services bill, the City is able to reduce administrative costs of processing and printing invoices over what it would cost to have each charge on a separate bill.

How much revenue will the fees generate?
In the 2025-2027 biennial budget, the Fire service fee is projected to raise about $4.4 million each year. The Police service fee is projected to raise about $4.1 million each year.

How were the fees developed?
The fees were developed after months of discussion by the Corvallis City Council as a way to prioritize public safety and begin to address longstanding staffing issues. The Council debated the specifics of the fees and weighed community feedback during a series of meetings and public hearings in 2018. Public records from those meetings, including minutes, audio, and video, is available on the City website at www.corvallisoregon.gov/archives.

What if I don’t agree with my meter size?
Any person responsible for a property who disputes the size of their water meter may present the reason for their dispute to the City’s Utility Billing Office. We will inspect the meter to confirm its size and render a decision, along with an explanation of how that decision was reached.