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Richland County Council asks staff to explore cost of impact-fee study, include estimate in FY26 budget
Summary
Council approved a motion directing the county administrator to explore potential consultants and costs for a full impact-fee study and to return cost information so the expense can be considered in the fiscal 2026 budget process.
Richland County Council on Tuesday voted to authorize the county administrator to explore options, identify likely consultants and determine costs for a full impact-fee study, and to return that information to council for consideration during the fiscal year 2026 budget process.
Council members debated whether to commit funding immediately or only request an estimated cost. The motion that won approval directed staff to investigate likely study costs — which staff estimated during committee discussion in the $120,000–$150,000 range — and to include an up-to-date cost estimate in the FY26 budget for council review, rather than obligating funds immediately.
The council's development-and-services committee had previously reviewed an impact-fee report and recommended staff provide further guidance and, if desired, commission an expert to study the mechanics and implications of implementing impact fees in Richland County. Several council members said they wanted a consultant-level study before deciding whether to implement any fee; others said they preferred only to place a budget placeholder and debate it during the regular budget process.
Councilmember Paul Livingston, who led the final motion, said the intent was to gather cost and feasibility information without obligating the county to pay before the budget process. Councilwoman Gretchen Baron and others urged staff to provide an “up to” amount so council would not be asked to approve an undefined expenditure. Attorney guidance during the meeting also recommended delegating to the administrator to explore potential consultants and costs, then return findings to council.
The motion passed and staff will return with consultant options and cost estimates for council to consider as part of FY26 budget deliberations. No vote to implement impact fees or to allocate funding for such a study was taken at Tuesday's meeting.
A next step identified during discussion is that if council chooses to commission a full study, staff would need an approved budget line in FY26 before engaging a consultant.
