County planner outlines process, costs and timeline for development impact fees

James Pope, Bulloch County planning and development director, gave the board a high-level overview of development impact fees during the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners meeting on Feb. 4, 2025, saying the tool would charge new development a fair share of the costs it imposes on public services.

"So what is an impact fee? It's really defined as it's a fee that would pay for the development's fair and proportionate share of impact to the community," Pope told commissioners. He said impact fees are one-time charges collected at construction or at certificate-of-occupancy and would apply countywide to new single-family homes, mobile homes, commercial and industrial development in unincorporated Bulloch County.

Pope said the county would first hire a consultant to produce a methodology report, form a steering committee (the state requires at least 50% representation from the development community), amend the comprehensive plan to include capital planning, and adopt an impact fee ordinance. He said the Georgia Development Impact Fee Act is the statutory basis for the tool and the county would need approval from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs before adopting an ordinance. He estimated the consultant and process would take about a year and cost roughly $100,000.

The methodology report, Pope said, would calculate levels of service and produce per-unit or per-household fee amounts. Using a recent City of Savannah calculation as an example, he said the methodology could show a maximum per-household charge of about $5,000; the board would set the actual fee (for example, 25% or 75% of the statutory maximum). Pope also described common limits and features: impact fees fund capital projects tied to specific service categories (transportation, parks, public safety, water/wastewater/stormwater), cannot pay for routine operations or maintenance, may include a 3% administrative charge, and generally must be spent or encumbered within six years or be repaid with interest to the payer.

Pope said jurisdictions may exempt certain projects from fees, for example projects tied to economic development or qualifying affordable-housing projects, but the county would then need to make up the difference for exempted units from other funds. He recommended that, if the board chooses to proceed, staff schedule a consultant-led work session for detailed questions.

The presentation prompted a clarifying question from a commissioner about whether impact fees would apply equally to mobile homes and small rural builds; Pope confirmed they would apply countywide and said building permits and permit fees are a separate, narrower revenue tool used to cover inspection and permitting costs only. No vote was taken; Pope offered to arrange a consultant presentation if the board requests one.

Pope’s overview focused on policy mechanics and timelines; it did not propose an immediate ordinance or set fee amounts.

Pope's full presentation to the commission included the items above and the specific cost and timing estimates he provided for consultant work.