Apopka workshop reviews large proposed increases to police, fire and parks impact fees; council to consider "extraordinary" implementation

Apopka City Commission staff and consultant Sean Ocasio presented results of a municipal impact fee study at an extraordinary workshop on Nov. 5 that showed calculated increases for police, fire and parks fees large enough to exceed statutory phased limits.

Sean Ocasio, of Raftalis Financial Consultants, told the commission the study used current local budget documents, asset records and service‑level standards to translate planned capital investment into a cost‑per‑unit fee for new development. "These fees are are being paid by the developers when a new construction occurs or, significant redevelopment," Ocasio said, explaining that fees are collected at building permit and intended to have growth pay for growth‑related capital.

The study finds Apopka’s calculated combined fee for a single‑family dwelling would reach about $3,578, driven largely by planned police and fire investments. Ocasio said the police multiyear capital plan included roughly $86.1 million in projects — including a $54 million share for a proposed public safety complex and a $25 million training facility — and the fire capital plan totaled about $50.6 million, with roughly $32.3 million allocated to the public safety complex and $6 million for a new Station 7 (plus about $1.5 million for supporting…