Committee asks for impact-fee briefing as staff presents TIP and finances

Tom Rickard and staff briefed the committee on the impact-fee program update and the county—s five-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Rickard said the county has selected a consultant to update the impact fee program and added one new scope item: updating the county travel demand model, which he described as more than 20 years old and "out of date." He said staff plans to bring the contract to the committee in May.

Rickard reiterated that the impact-fee process is governed by state statute and that an impact-fee advisory committee, including county board members, will participate in the update. He also said Kane County is the only county in northeastern Illinois that currently maintains an impact-fee program under the state statute.

On the TIP, Rickard told the committee the program includes over 50 projects totaling about $540 million in various stages (studies, phase 1 engineering, phase 2, right-of-way acquisition, construction). He noted roughly $90 million in encumbrances and that recurring county revenues were roughly $52 million per year versus about $50 million in recurring expenditures.

Committee members asked for a short (5-slide) overview of impact fees, how fees are assessed, and how Kane County compares to other counties. Chair Vern Tempe and others said the county should examine all revenue sources given an anticipated shortfall and asked staff to explain where impact-fee revenues may be usable for eligible projects.

Why it matters

The impact-fee update and the TIP determine which projects advance and how the county matches federal and state grants. Staff said many projects are multi-year and that delays or gaps in matching funds can affect the county—s ability to claim federal and state funding.