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Brevard commissioners add comprehensive option to impact-fee study RFP after split vote
Summary
The Board voted 4-1 to expand a planned fire/EMS impact-fee study RFP to include an option for a comprehensive countywide impact-fee study; commissioners debated trade-offs between revenue potential and housing affordability.
The Brevard County Board of County Commissioners voted 4-1 on Feb. (date not specified) to expand a planned request for proposals (RFP) on fire and emergency medical services (EMS) impact fees to include an option for a comprehensive countywide impact-fee study.
The motion to modify the RFP passed with Commissioners Curt Delaney, Vice Chair Goodson, Commissioner Atkinson and Chairman Feltner voting in favor and Commissioner Altman dissenting.
Why it matters: County staff told commissioners a standalone fire/EMS study is estimated to cost about $190,000 and could yield an estimated $329,521 in new fee revenue over four years. A comprehensive study was estimated at about $498,000 with projected additional fee revenue of roughly $10.28 million over four years, and a longer-range estimate of about $70.5 million over 10 years at 50% capture assumptions. The board’s action sends both options to the market so the county can compare cost and scope before committing.
Board discussion centered on competing priorities. Commissioner Curt Delaney urged the board to consider the larger return on investment of a comprehensive study and said stakeholders including developers had told him the county’s fees were out of date. Billy Persaud, interim director of the planning and development department, presented staff estimates and explained the comparative cost and revenue projections. Frank (county staff) suggested the RFP could include the comprehensive study as an optional task, letting the board review firm bids and make a later decision.
Commissioner Altman said he opposed larger impact-fee increases, arguing they make homeownership harder for local families and prospective first-time buyers; he voted no. Several commissioners, including Delaney and Vice Chair Goodson, said the county has not updated many impact fees in decades and risks leaving revenue on the table that funds infrastructure.
Public comment reflected similar divisions. Sandra Sullivan urged a comprehensive study and criticized the county for not collecting fees consistently from municipalities, while other speakers emphasized concerns about tax burdens on residents.
What’s next: Staff will release the RFP with the optional comprehensive scope and present negotiated contracts, recommendations and projections when proposals return to the board.
