An ordinance that could require food and automotive service facilities to pay up to $60 per year in fees for an unfunded state storm-water-disposal mandate was introduced at this week's Moorpark City Council meeting.

The ordinance, which the council will consider for final approval at its next meeting April 16, establishes a fee program for storm-water inspections to be paid for by about 132 businesses in Moorpark. The inspections are necessary for compliance with the California Regional Water Quality Control Board's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirement.

The permit requires each facility to be inspected once every two years for compliance with a variety of storm-water practices, including the proper discharge of wash water into the sewer; the proper storage of trash and recycling containers; and employee training of appropriate storm-water practices.

Inspections have been done in the city for the past eight years, but the city has paid for them with general fund money and receives no money from the state, said Shaun Kroes, management analyst for the city.

Currently, the Moorpark city staff inspects 101 food service facilities for compliance, while 31 automotive service facilities are inspected by county inspectors.

The city pays for both inspections every two years — $82.94 for food service facilities and $79.17 for automotive service facilities.

The city faces a $10,000 per day penalty if it fails to perform any of the inspections.

Officials said the city hopes to recoup $5,280 to $7,920 each year by charging businesses for the inspection fees, which will cover administrative fees and costs associated with the actual inspection, as well as re-inspection fees if necessary.

Business owners were notified via mail about the proposed increase, but the city received only one response before Wednesday's council meeting.

The council also will determine at its next meeting different fee options, ranging from $40 to $60 annually.

"It's just a break-even point for the city. We're not into making a profit off the businesses for the inspections. That wasn't ever our intent," said Mayor Pro Tem Janice Parvin.

Mayor Patrick Hunter said he would like to see a two-year phase-in program that will allow business owners to pay $20 for the first year, and $40 for the following year.

"(A phase-in program) simply provides businesses a way to absorb this a little more easily into a difficult budget and doesn't hit them with yet another fee at a time when many businesses can ill afford another fee," Hunter said.