Brookings adopts new SDC methodology but freezes fee rates until November 2026

The Brookings City Council on Nov. 10, 2025, adopted Resolution 25‑R‑1285 to enact a new system development charges (SDC) methodology for water, wastewater, stormwater, transportation and park systems, while freezing current SDC fee rates and directing staff to readdress rates in November 2026.

City staff told the council they hired Donovan Enterprises (Steve Donovan) to review the city's SDC methodology and produce a final report and recommendation. "We hired a consultant, Donovan Enterprises, Steve Donovan, to assist us with the review of our existing system development methodology," staff said during the presentation.

The consultant's work produced recommended methodology changes and sample fee schedules. Councilors debated four options on the table: adopt methodology and fee schedule, adopt methodology and freeze fees, adopt methodology and defer fee adoption, or take no action now and revisit later. Several councilors raised concern that Brookings' SDCs "are already substantially more than double most communities," arguing for caution on immediate fee increases and for preserving tools to encourage multi‑family and affordable housing.

After deliberation, a motion was made to adopt Resolution 25‑R‑1285, enact the new SDC methodology, freeze SDC rates at current levels, and readdress fees in November 2026. The motion was seconded and passed by roll-call vote; the public hearing was closed at 6:06 p.m.

Staff emphasized that the capital improvement plan drives the fee recommendations and that comparing Brookings to other communities requires an apples‑to‑apples review of each jurisdiction's capital plan and what facilities are included in its SDCs. Council directed staff to return with timing and mechanisms for future review.