Committee backs drafting move to raise adequate‑facilities fee to $1.50 per sq. ft.

Sumner County commissioners on June 2 discussed draft state legislation that would let counties raise the adequate‑facilities tax — an impact fee used to fund school capacity — and voted to forward a proposal to the full commission recommending adoption of the higher fee.

The discussion centered on House Bill 2426 and Senate Bill 2261, passed in the 2024 session, which permit counties to set a uniform per‑square‑foot fee for residential, commercial and industrial development. “Moving from 70 cents to $1.50 a square foot is better than the status quo,” Commissioner Klein said during committee remarks, noting the current fee yields far less revenue than construction borrowing in recent years.

Committee members reviewed examples and revenue estimates. The meeting record included a sample calculation showing a 3,000‑square‑foot house would generate about $2,100 under the current 70‑cent rate and about $4,500 under a $1.50 rate. Finance staff also reported a recent adequate‑facilities payment: “Sumner County received a $747,094.80 adequate facilities tax check for Meta,” a staff member said, noting that a recently created position in county finance helped recover that revenue.

Law and finance staff were asked to review statutory language and administrative steps. Commissioners requested that the county attorney or law director confirm the periodic review obligations the statute imposes (references in committee discussion included census‑based thresholds and four‑year checks) before the full commission acts. Committee members also noted the statutory path requires private‑act approval (two consecutive commission meetings and a two‑thirds vote, per discussion) and asked staff to route the draft to legal counsel for confirmation.

A committee motion was made to adopt and forward the draft measure (applying $1.50 per square foot across development types) to the full commission for consideration and legal review; the committee asked staff to prepare the ordinance language and identify which office will handle the statutory four‑year certification. The committee did not set an effective date at this meeting; staff were directed to follow up with legal counsel on process and reporting responsibilities.