Oviedo — The City of Oviedo on Dec. 1 adopted Ordinance No. 17-61, updating impact fees for parks and recreation, fire and rescue, law enforcement and administrative facilities and changing the fee methodology from consumption-based to project-driven.

City attorney/staff presenter Mr. Cobb told the council the update uses local data and a different calculation methodology intended to meet the "dual rational nexus" test. The ordinance also incorporates accessory dwelling units into fee categories. Jonathan Paul, the city’s consultant, was available to answer technical questions.

Cobb said the revised fees represent an increase "greater than 50%" in some categories. "State law now requires that when you have a fee that is increasing greater than 50%, it has to be allocated — you can't increase it greater than 50% — and that the increase has to be allocated over a period of four years equally over those four year period," he said.

During a brief discussion a council member reiterated the purpose of impact fees: to have new development pay for its share of public infrastructure rather than shifting costs to existing residents. The council then opened the public hearing; no members of the public addressed the matter. A council member moved to adopt Ordinance No. 17-61; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice/roll-call vote.

Votes at a glance: Mayor Megan Sladek — Aye; Council Member Butterford — Aye; Deputy Mayor Natalie Tucart — Aye; Council Member Bridal — Aye; Council Member Ott — Aye. The clerk recorded the motion as carried.

Why it matters: Impact fees are one of the limited local revenue tools to offset the capital cost of growth. The ordinance both raises fees and spreads the increases equally across four years to comply with the statutory limit on immediate increases above 50 percent. The city said the changes are based on updated local cost data and the new project-based methodology.

What happens next: The ordinance is adopted and will be implemented according to the timeline in the ordinance language (the text provided in the staff packet; effective dates were not recited aloud during the meeting). The city’s consultant remains available to staff and council for follow-up questions on methodology and rates.