County Moves Closer To Cutting School Impact Fees

Whilewere added to the record, the county commission unanimously voted this afternoon to move ahead with plans to cut impact fees by at least 50 percent for a 22-month period.

Pasco County currently charges residential developers about $5,000 in fees for every single family home built. This money is used by the school district to fund construction of new schools to meet the demands of growth. Impact fees can also be used to pay bond debt, school officials have said.

With the district facing an estimated, impact fee funding to help pay an annual $16.8 million bond payment has become a big concern. Impact fees are anticipated to generate about $4.5 million for the district this year if they remain in place.

Although nothing is cast in stone until a public hearing and final vote, today’s commission decision moves the proposed cut a step closer to reality.

“I’m disappointed,” said School Superintendent Heather Fiorentino, following the April 5 vote. “I always thought education was the cornerstone of any community and that’s what truly brings in business.”

School board chairwoman Joanne Hurley had similar sentiments. The loss of funding this year leaves the district in a position where it is going to have to start laying off employees, she said.

“We’re desperate not to lay off school board employees, but with 67,000 students, every dollar counts,” she said. “Really, it’s the perfect storm. We’re losing federal stimulus (funding), state level (funds). For us, it’s dealing with the sum total.”

County commissioners and residential developers, however, have a different opinion. They say an increase in residential building will increase property and sales taxes while stimulating the overall economy.

“About eight weeks ago, we started on a journey to create new jobs in Pasco,” said Lou Friedland, a developer who addressed the commission before its vote. “I can tell you from the building community there is a buzz going on. Now is the time to act.”

Commissioners agreed, but school district officials asked for time to work with the county attorney’s office to build safeguards into the proposed ordinance that would provide assurances that impact fees would go back up to at least their near $5,000 amount at the end of the 22-month period.

Commission chairwoman Ann Hildebrand broached the idea of delaying the April 19 public hearing to give the school board time to have its concerns addressed. She was shot down by other members of the commission.

“We’re trying to stimulate the economy,” said Commissioner Jack Mariano.

“It’s real simple,” said Ted Schrader, the commission’s vice chair. “The school board had the opportunity to prepare all of that. They (developers) need some (type) of certainty.”

“We’re not showing certainty right now,” added Commissioner Pat Mulieri. “Give them that certainty.”

Mariano introduced a motion to move forward with an ordinance that would reduce fees by a minimum of 50 percent. It passed unanimously.

The proposal will now go to a public hearing, which will take place during the April 19 commission meeting at the West Pasco Government Center, 7530 Little Road, in New Port Richey.

Do you think school impact fees should be cut?