9/13/1988 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r Ron Kutschinski, general contractor, realized that impact fees are here to stay, but as a builder, he urged the Board to delay the implementation of the fee schedule. Steve Hall, representing the General Contractors of America, emphasized his surprise at the funds available in all 9 districts as of 10-1-88. Director Davis explained that those figures include gas tax revenues that have been accumulating over the years; however, those monies will be rapidly depleted with the capital improvement program, and as we move into 1989-90, we will be in dire need of revenue. The County gets back 6.6 cents for each gallon of gasoline sold in the county, and another penny of gas tax would bring the county about $300,000 more, which is not enough to lower the burden of impact fees. Chairman Scurlock pointed out that a.penny sales tax, generates about $4.5 million, can be in effect for up to 15 years, and could fund plans for a new courthouse, jail expansion, health building and new road construction. Mr. Hall continued at great length about the districts showing in the black, but Commissioner Wheeler felt that this just boils down to a matter of philosophy of how we are going to pay the bill. He believed that the building industry wants subsidies from government to build houses, but he opposes that philosophy. Chairman Scurlock reiterated that the bottom line is that these improvements have to be made and that we should request the Finance Advisory Committee to look at all alternatives, such as a 1 -cent sales tax, a 9th -cent gas tax, documentary stamps, etc. Commissioner Bird wished to see the FAC take that on, and Commissioners Eggert and Wheeler wanted to see an alternative funding proposal on the March ballot, and felt we should start putting a package together now rather than waiting until November to start. 42 SEP 13 `d Boo. 74 P,E175