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The Chairman opened the floor to the public. <br />Kirk Sorenson, Consultant to the Treasure Coast Builders Association, informed <br />the Board that he had conducted a technical review of the Impact Fee Update that was presented by <br />Duncan Associates. He suggested the Board either come to the conclusion that this is not the best <br />time to do anything with impact fees, and/or take a closer look at the data, assumptions, <br />methodology, and calculations within the update because he felt there was misrepresentation in the <br />study. He emphasized that the objective of any community contemplating the adjustment of an <br />impact fee schedule should be to ensure its fairness, proportionality and equity, prior to its <br />adoption. Mr. Sorenson thereafter responded to questions from the Board. <br />Director Brown spoke about and answered questions as to how our County's policy <br />is to use the local optional gas tax for capacity increasing projects, even though other Counties use <br />it for roadway maintenance. <br />Administrator Baird explained the logic as to where the County stands regarding <br />impact fees, and divulged that when a road is built, the gas tax, sales tax, and impact fees are all <br />factored in so the entire burden does not fall on impact fees. <br />Commissioner Wheeler felt that one of the problems with impact fees is that sales <br />tax is down, gas tax is down, and building costs are down. He felt that impact fees need to be <br />raised due to residential development creating stress on the system. He supported impact fees on <br />residential, but felt the problem was on the trip generation attributed to commercial development. <br />Vice Chairman Davis informed the Board that he did not have problems with the <br />concept of impact fees, it was the methodology that he could not justify. <br />4 <br />May 9, 2008 <br />Special Call <br />