Press Release
Submitted by Casey Arnold
Tanner-Bishop Law Firm
February 25, 2015 11:04 a.m.
Those who paid a water impact fee to the City of Fernandina Beach between March 2003 and December 2014, may be entitled to reimbursement of a portion of this fee. Water impact fees were paid to the City of Fernandina Beach at the time of permitting for both residential and commercial buildings.
A class action settlement has been reached with the City of Fernandina Beach, and the City will be reimbursing up to $1,800,000 to those that paid these fees. On average the water impact fees paid to the City ranged from $500 to $2,000. A list of all properties for which an impact fee was paid can be found on the website. To be entitled to a reimbursement payors must file a claim in the class action lawsuit. Information on how to file a claim can be found by going to www.fernandinasettlement.com, or by calling 904-598-0034 or 1-800-952-0542.
The March 6, 2015 deadline to file a claim in the class action lawsuit is quickly approaching. Those who don’t file a claim will not be entitled to reimbursement. If you have not filed a claim and believe that you paid a water impact fee, then now is the time to submit your claim form.
An informational session to answer your questions or receive help submitting your claim will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday March 3, 2015 at the Chamber of Commerce located at 961687 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 101G, Fernandina Beach FL 32034.
Confused… I don’t see the list of homes on the site and the settlement states
the city will repeal the impact fee ordinances. Didn’t they just pay a consultant to come up with higher fees and approved them?
The class list is located in the red box on the left. By clicking on the class list you can download the information.
John, commissioners did repeal the impact fees but have recently passed a new “capacity fee” schedule that City claims passes the dual rationale nexus test required of such a fee. Confusing isn’t it?
“A Rose By Any other Name Still Smells The Same”
Hopefully those builders who are listed as having paid the impact fees notified their clients they are entitled to the refund as it was a fee paid on their behalf and included in the price of the home. Otherwise it is a windfall to which they are not entitled IMO.
Vince that is not happening. Whomever pulled the permit will get the $$$$$.
In response to Karen Thompson. I agree. I received settlement claim paperwork for dates of my home when permits were pulled to build the home. I have paid the excess water fees since buying this spec house. I cannot legally sign the paperwork sent to me. How do I receive rightful claim? …..Another Fernandina scam of rightful citizens!