By Cindy Jackson
Reporter
August 22, 2019 10:00 a.m.
Taco Pope, Assistant County Manager, made a presentation to the Board of County Commissioners on August 21, outlining the park and recreation impact fee study.
A study of the Parks and Recreation Impact Fee was completed in July 2019, as conducted by GAI Consultants, a company frequently contracted with by the BOCC. GAI’s Chief Economist Steven Bell, presented to the BOCC after Taco Pope completed his presentation. Pope provided a breakdown of impact fees for a typical single-family home and also a comparison of impact fees in other counties.
An “impact fee” is a one time fee or charge that is imposed by a local government on the development of new or expanded residential or non-residential property to pay for all or a portion of the incremental capital costs required to serve new development.
Currently, Nassau County has six such impact fees but only five are controlled by the BOCC. The Public School Impact Fee is administered by the Nassau County School Board. The five administered by the Board of County Commissioners are:
Parks and Recreation Impact Fee
Fire and Rescue Impact Fee
Law Enforcement Impact Fee
Administrative Facilities Impact Fee and
Mobility Fee (previously known as the Transportation Impact Fee)
The workshop held on 8/21 workshop is just one step in the process with a draft ordinance and final study summary expected to be presented to the BOCC on September 18 after which a public hearing will be scheduled – currently slated for October 14.
The 1.5 market rate adjustment for land value as presented in the study has raised concerns by some industry reps. However, as Pope noted, “The study shows it costs roughly $2000 to maintain the status quo.” He went on to explain that if the rate were adjusted down, the monies would have to come from elsewhere, for instance the general fund. To that point, Commissioner Edwards said, “we need to collect enough to do this,” a comment directed at the concept that growth should pay for growth.
Each of the other impact fees will go through the same process with studies conducted, workshops held, ordinances drafted and public hearings scheduled.
Editor’s Note: Born in Hagerstown, Maryland, Cindy received her BA in Political Science from Dickinson College. Upon graduation, Cindy began her career on Capitol Hill working as a legislative aide and director. She later became a part of the public relations and lobbying team of the American Iron and Steel Institute and served as director of the office of state legislative affairs for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Cindy was involved in economic development with the state of Maryland, and served as executive director of Leadership Washington County. As a community volunteer, Cindy participates in numerous volunteer activities serving as a member of Sunrise Rotary, and as board member of Cummer Amelia Board of Directors.