DeLand commission directs staff to proceed with updated impact-fee ordinance after 2025 study

At a special workshop the DeLand City Commission reviewed a completed 2025 municipal impact-fee study and directed staff to prepare an ordinance to implement updated fees, with several commissioners saying they preferred adopting the full fees rather than phasing increases.

Joe Williams, a consultant from Raftel, told the commission the study responds to population growth and several large capital needs, including the cost of a new fire station. "We do recommend if it makes sense for you all to adopt the full fees," Williams said, noting the study follows statutory guidance and industry practice. He added that fees are one-time charges assessed at building permit and do not fund operations or routine asset replacement.

The study shows increases concentrated in fire, parks and general government fees; Williams said the residential category would see roughly a 34235% increase overall and estimated a fully calculated single-family fee near $1,400 (about a 40% increase compared with the existing schedule). On police fees the presentation referenced residential amounts "about $520 or $540" and described how the first six officers budgeted in the upcoming year were included in the calculations. Williams laid out two phase-in options: a two-year scenario with 75% of the increase in year one and 25% in year two, and a three-year scenario that spreads increases 50%/25%/25%.

Commissioners asked practical questions about what fees would mean for projects such as playing fields and partnerships on sites like Jacobs Dairy. A city official said a county closing on the Jacobs Dairy parcel could occur within months, but design, fundraising and construction would likely take several years even if impact-fee revenue were available.

On the policy choice between immediate implementation and phasing, views divided. Speaker 1 said adopting fees all at once would capture revenue from already-approved homes and urged the commission to consider that trade-off: "It's almost better to just rip the bandage off." Commissioner Dan Reed said he had been inclined toward phasing but ultimately was "ready to just go all in" so the city would not forgo revenue; Vice Mayor Davis said she remained "leaning towards the phased in approach" because the per-household impact can be significant for some residents. Commissioner Pfeiffer argued a $1,400 increase on a midrange house priced between about $216,000 and $276,000 would be unlikely to change affordability and favored faster adoption to avoid higher costs from inflation.

Williams also noted an assisted-living category was added to the fee schedule and provided a local comparison showing nearby DeBarycould face combined charges around $3,800 when city, mobility and county fees are all considered. Williams reminded commissioners that coordination with the county is required to avoid double counting overlapping transportation projects under Florida law.

No formal ordinance vote was taken at the workshop. Commissioners gave direction that staff should place the proposed ordinance on the regular commission agenda for two readings. A city official reminded the commission that, under the extraordinary-circumstance path discussed at the workshop, any ordinance adopted using those provisions will require a supermajority (four votes) on both readings.

The workshop concluded with staff tasked to draft the ordinance and bring it back to the commission for the two readings required for adoption.