Bradford County adopts new impact fee ordinance; vote 4‑1 on fee levels

Bradford County commissioners on July 17 adopted a comprehensive impact fee ordinance to impose charges for fire protection, law enforcement and emergency medical services on new construction, effective for building permit applications submitted on or after Oct. 1, 2025.

County attorney read the ordinance in full before the board opened a public hearing. The ordinance authorizes a consolidated set of impact fees, adopts an impact fee study and procedures for administration, provides exemptions, and sets the effective date. The attorney asked the board to open the public hearing, which produced no public comment, and the board then voted to adopt the ordinance as read.

Commissioner Thompson moved to approve the ordinance; Commissioner Andrews seconded. The motion carried 4‑1, with Commissioner Spencer voting “nay” only as to the fee amount. Spencer said she supports impact fees in principle but was “concerned about the amount” and worried that higher fees could be passed to homebuyers.

Commissioners who supported the ordinance said impact fees are common in neighboring counties and are intended to offset the fiscal cost of new development on county services. County officials noted that the fees apply to new construction and will be collected from builders or developers when permits are issued, not charged directly against existing homes. The ordinance also provides credits for developer contributions and municipal participation arrangements.

The ordinance text as read includes a declaration of exclusion from the Administrative Procedures Act, a requirement for periodic review of impact fee studies and schedules, and a repeal of conflicting local code provisions. The board recorded no further amendments at the meeting.