County chooses 12th‑edition ITE rates and a county‑retained interlocal for impact fees; implementation set for May 13, 2026

The Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners voted to adopt transportation impact fee calculations based on the Institute of Transportation Engineers' 12th edition trip generation data and directed staff to negotiate an interlocal agreement with the City under Option 1, in which 100% of collected impact fees are remitted to the county and the county determines expenditures.

County staff presented results from Kimley‑Horn that recalculated fees using the 12th edition; in most categories the newer edition produced lower fees, though a few land‑use categories changed upward. Staff told the board the updated study would support the county's schedule for public hearings and the ordinance adoption timeline.

"The first public hearing that we plan on doing... is impact fees at the February 12 meeting," county staff said, adding that enforcement would begin on May 13, 2026, following required advertisements and public hearings.

Commissioners debated the effect on housing affordability and whether the county should accept a portion of fees for the city to administer collection. After discussion, the board approved moving forward with Option 1 (county retains 100% and administers expenditures) and directed staff to prepare required materials for a February public hearing. Kimley‑Horn will present the detailed study at that hearing.

Staff noted variance among neighboring counties: some jurisdictions adopt a percentage of the calculated fee to be paid by new development; Okeechobee will adopt 100% of its calculated fee schedule. The county will negotiate a small administrative fee with the city analogous to neighboring interlocals (examples cited ranged from 1.5% to 2% in nearby counties).