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Boone County board hears pleas to extend land‑cash impact fee moratorium; staff to draft one‑year extension language
Summary
After public testimony from realtors and local taxing bodies, the Boone County Board directed staff to prepare ordinance language for a one‑year extension of the land‑cash impact fee moratorium and to publish a public hearing for Feb. 20. Board members debated two‑ and zero‑year alternatives but did not vote on a final ordinance tonight.
Several local housing and public‑service groups urged the Boone County Board on Thursday to extend a moratorium on the county’s land‑cash impact fee, and the board asked staff to draft language for a one‑year extension and to schedule a public hearing.
Neely Erickson, government affairs director for Illinois Realtors, told the board she and allied real‑estate groups “are here…in support of extending the land cash impact fee moratorium in Boone County for 2 years.” Erickson cited rising home prices, low inventory and a “severe jobs‑housing imbalance” in the county.
The board also heard from Connor Brown, CEO of the Northwest Illinois Alliance of Realtors, who said new construction brings substantially more long‑term tax revenue than a one‑time impact fee and urged measures that make new homebuilding more feasible. Josh Sage, executive director of the Boone County Conservation District, appearing with the district 100 superintendent and the Belvidere Park District executive director, asked for a one‑year renewal “with the adoption of the new unified development ordinance” to let the county complete zoning and plan updates before reconsidering fees.
Board members split over the correct course. Several members, including County Board member David Wiltsie, supported a two‑year extension to allow development and permitting timelines to play out. Others argued the moratorium should be abolished now and reinstated only if rapid growth resumes. After discussion the chair and staff agreed to forward language for a one‑year extension and to publish a public hearing for Feb. 20; board members reserved the right to amend that recommendation at the full board meeting.
Why it matters: land‑cash impact fees are a one‑time charge on new subdivisions intended to compensate taxing districts for additional infrastructure or land needs triggered by development. Supporters of the moratorium say it preserves affordability and encourages homebuilding when housing inventory is low; opponents say the fees are a tool for managing growth that may be needed if development accelerates.
What happens next: staff will prepare ordinance language reflecting the one‑year extension and publish notice for a Feb. 20 public hearing. The county board can amend the proposed extension at that meeting and will accept public comment before taking a final vote.
Public comment and board debate in the committee meeting showed the issue remains politically and economically contested: proponents emphasized leveraging modest fee revenues to support schools, parks and conservation land purchases; opponents said current volumes of new construction are too small to justify collecting the fee and warned a fee would deter homebuilding.
No final ordinance vote took place Thursday; the board’s direction was procedural — to draft and notice a one‑year extension — not a legislative adoption.
