§ 55.16. Vehicles-for-Hire Rates and Fares.

(1)

Rate Authority.

(a)

Rates. Subject to the restrictions in Section 55.08(4), and the exception stated in Section 55.08(5) above, and the criteria in subparagraph (2) and (4) below, the Vehicle-for-Hire Administrator is hereby delegated the discretion to recommend changing any hourly, per capita or meter rate for any category of Vehicle-for-Hire.

(b)

Surcharges. The Vehicle-for-Hire Administrator may also recommend changing surcharge amounts for any particular reason for any particular category of Vehicle-for-Hire in accordance with subparagraph (4) below.

(2)

Establishing Taxicab Meter Rates. The Vehicle-for-Hire Administrator shall review the meter rates or surcharges charged by a taxicab. The review shall occur at or about the same time the Vehicle-for-Hire Administrator reviews the Public Necessity and Convenience Formula as outlined in Sec. 55.24. The Administrator shall use the following guidelines in determining future increases or decreases in the Taxi Meter Rates:

(a)

One time per year at a public hearing, the Vehicle-for-Hire Administrator shall determine the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index-All Urban Consumers ("CPI"). Specifically, the CPI used in this comparison shall be the latest index.

(b)

If the percentage increase in CPI is 6% or greater since the last time the meter rates were increased, the Vehicles-for-Hire Administrator may recommend an increase in the taxicab meter rates. The increase shall be approximately the same percentage as the increase in the CPI referenced in this paragraph.

(c)

The allocation of any meter rate increase between the taxi per mile rate, drop (minimum charge), and the wait time clock, shall be recommended by the Administrator with input from the Orlando taxicab industry, Vehicle-for-Hire Staff, and by reviewing the charges in other municipalities. It is the intent that the cost of an average taxicab fare increase approximately the same as the increase in CPI as referenced in the above paragraph.

(3)

Conformance with Rates and Surcharges Adopted by City Council. Any such rate or surcharge imposed, required or collected by any Vehicle Permit-Holder or Driver shall be in strict conformance with the adopted rates and/or surcharges.

(4)

Procedure for Adoption. All rates and surcharges imposed herein shall be adopted by resolution of the City Council. A meeting for the purpose of adopting the resolution shall be advertised ten (10) days in advance in the Orlando Sentinel and the existing and proposed rates and/or surcharges shall be published in the advertisement. In the resolution, the City Council shall set an effective date for the new rates and/or surcharges.

(5)

Emergency Surcharges. Upon request of the Vehicle-for-Hire Administrator, members of the public, including Vehicle Permit-Holders and Drivers, or Board Members, the City Council may set, adopt or amend, any Emergency Surcharge, for any particular category of Vehicle-for-Hire upon a finding by Council pursuant to the restrictions in 55.08(4) above, and the criteria in subparagraph (2) above. The Emergency Surcharge must be adopted by resolution of Council by a majority vote of a quorum. The term of the Emergency Surcharge shall be established to expire upon a date certain at which time the Emergency Surcharge will automatically expire unless extended by Council. The Emergency Surcharge does not require advanced public notice.

(Ord. of 4-20-1998, Doc. #31157; Ord. of 1-11-2007, § 10, Doc. #0701111008; Ord. of 3-26-2007 § 1, Doc. #0703261002; Ord. No. 2013-6, § 3, 2-4-2013, Doc. #1302041203)