Tavares holds workshop on proposed impact fee increases; consultant says new fees would raise about $10.5 million over 10 years

Tavares — The Tavares City Council on March 19 held the first of two required public workshops on a proposed update to municipal impact fees after a consultant told the council the draft would shift roughly $10.5 million in the cost of new capital needs from existing taxpayers to new development over the next 10 years.

Michelle Galvin, the consultant presenting the draft study for REFtalus, said the draft proposes increases to fees for police, fire and parks and recreation and would add a new impact fee category for general government facilities. "Under existing impact fees, the city would collect about $3,400,000 but under these proposed fees, they would collect closer to $14,000,000," Galvin said.

The workshop examined why the city is seeking higher fees now. The staff packet and Galvin’s presentation identified three drivers: recent large capital investments (including a public safety complex and a $23 million public works facility), persistent population growth that will require additional service capacity, and broad construction‑cost inflation. The presentation noted the last city study dated from 2006.

Why it matters: impact fees are intended to make new development pay its share of infrastructure and capital costs. Florida’s Impact Fee Act restricts how local governments phase in increases; the consultants and city attorney reminded council members that the law limits annual increases to 12.5% and to 50% over a four‑year period, and that any proposed increase exceeding 50% requires a two‑thirds council vote and at least two publicly noticed workshops. City staff described the March 19 meeting as Workshop No. 1 in that required sequence.

Details of the proposal and examples cited in the workshop: - Police: The draft attributes part of the higher fee to the city’s recent investment in a public safety complex and forecasted needs for additional officers and vehicles. Galvin said police facility and vehicle costs contributed substantially to the proposed residential fee increases. - Fire: The study credits recent fire‑station investment and the rising cost of fire apparatus as drivers for an increase in fire impact fees. - Parks and recreation: The consultant pointed to roughly $2.3 million in parks improvements over the last three years and recent splash‑pad upgrades as reasons to raise parks fees for residential categories. - General government: The draft would create a new fee category to help pay for government facility needs; the city recently completed a $23 million public works facility that is factored into that calculation.

Galvin summarized a revenue forecast based on the city’s growth assumptions: the draft estimates about $3.4 million under current fees versus about $14 million under the proposed schedule over 10 years, a difference the presentation described as about $10.5 million that otherwise could fall to existing taxpayers.

Public comment and council discussion: Resident Gary Santoro urged the council to adopt the increases, saying Tavares needs to be able to provide services without relying on nearby cities. County Commissioner Kirby Smith addressed the council during the workshop and urged the council to "hold the workshop, get the beat of the people" — meaning to use the workshop to gather input from contractors and developers who would pay the fees.

Council members asked about phasing and flexibility. The city attorney reminded the council of the statutory process and voting thresholds, saying, "Yes and a two thirds vote if we're going over 50%." Council members also raised the possibility of phasing increases or placing temporary waivers if the local economy slowed; staff noted the city has previously waived fees in limited circumstances.

Next steps and timetable mentioned on the record: the council scheduled a second workshop at the next council meeting, followed by two ordinance readings if the council votes to proceed; the code would permit an implementation delay of 90 days after final adoption before higher fees take effect.

Council action: After discussion and public comment, the council voted in favor of a motion to continue the item to the next workshop for further public input and staff follow‑up. The motion passed by voice vote.

The study documents and the consultant’s draft remain available in the city record; the council will consider additional public comment and a draft ordinance at subsequent meetings.