News

Schools denied fees

Jeff Schmucker
Published: November 14, 2012

BROOKSVILLE - County commissioners rejected the notion of allowing the school district to collect impact fees without a finished study — meaning it likely won't receive any fee money for another year.

However, school district officials did receive a consolation prize, as commissioners agreed to pay up to $30,000 toward the study.

Following lengthy discussion on the subject Tuesday, commissioners voted 4-1 to reject an ordinance that would have allowed the district to collect impact fees at the 2005 level while a study was being conducted that would help determine what the fee collection rate should be.

An impact fee is a one-time charge on new development to help pay for county roads, parks and other infrastructure.

The 2005 rate level of $4,265 was chosen due to that year being the last time an education impact fee study was conducted.

Commissioner Jeff Stabins was the lone dissenting vote on the matter. Tuesday's meeting was the last for both him and Commissioner John Druzbick, whose terms on the elected board will end before the next county commission meeting on Tuesday.

However, the most contested discussion concerned whether the board would fund all or part of the education impact fee study, estimated to cost roughly $60,000.

County staff told commissioners that the general fund reserve has $65,802 remaining.

Commissioner Jim Adkins said he was concerned about depleting that fund and added that the county shouldn't fund the study. Commissioner Dave Russell chimed in saying the school district should pay for at least part of the study.

But Druzbick said commissioners were getting ahead of themselves and added the group should first determine whether they wanted to bring back impact fees at all.

"This seems to be a premature discussion without knowing how much this study is going to cost," Druzbick said. "Face it; we've already taken money set aside for everything else. I think until we know the number, why are we saying whether we're going to help fund this or not?"

However, Russell said, whether the group would bring back impact fees or not, the study is needed for when commissioners determine whether education impact fees should be collected.

The group then voted 4-1 to fund half of the study, up to $30,000.

Following the vote, commissioners then unanimously approved to again charge impact fees for roads, parks, libraries, public buildings, law, fire and emergency services.

The exact amount of those fees will be determined at a later date.

jschmucker@hernandotoday.com (352) 544-5271