Boone County Board indefinitely suspends land‑cash impact fees after public hearing

The Boone County Board voted Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, to suspend collection of land‑cash impact fees for new development indefinitely, approving an amendment after a public hearing and nearly two hours of discussion.

Proponents of suspending the fees said the move is intended to attract residential development and increase the county's long‑term tax base; opponents and agency representatives warned the fees pay for capital projects and urged a stakeholder review before any permanent change.

The decision follows public testimony and comments from developers, conservation and parks officials, and the Belvidere Community School District. Neely Erickson, a 30‑year Boone County resident, told the board the county's comprehensive plan shows vacant platted residential land and that local roads and school enrollment do not indicate a capacity problem. "Boone County needs policies that encourage, not discourage development," Erickson said during the hearing.

Josh Sage, executive director of the Boone County Conservation District, asked the board to consider a one‑year moratorium and to convene a working group of stakeholders to assess the ordinance and recommend next steps. "Regardless of whether the board chooses a 1 or 2 year moratorium, I strongly encourage the creation of a working group to bring all stakeholders together," Sage said.

Cassandra Schag, superintendent of Belvidere Community School District 100, told the board the district supports a one‑year moratorium to allow stakeholders to determine what would trigger resuming fees. "Impact fees are a critical tool... when that growth continues,"…