Water board backs staff recommendation to raise development cash‑in‑lieu fee, will forward to City Council

The Longmont Water Board on the final meeting of the year voted to forward a staff recommendation to City Council to increase the city’s cash‑in‑lieu development water fee and to let council set an effective date in the spring.

Staff told the board the proposed fee increase reflects recent data and methodology updates; the current cash‑in‑lieu amount cited by staff was about $48,500 and the new recommended figure presented was about $59,600. Staff described discussing the methodology and timing at a Dec. 10 City Council study session and said council members were generally supportive of an annual update using the same methodology.

Board members focused on timing for any change. Staff proposed a spring effective date (staff suggested May 1, with April 1 also feasible) to provide developers a manageable lead time and to align moves around the city’s budget cycles. Staff told the board it had been preparing developers for an increase for several months so the change would not be a surprise when authorized by resolution.

A board member moved to adopt and forward staff’s recommendation and the body approved the motion by voice vote.

The board did not codify a final effective date at the meeting; staff will take the board’s recommendation to City Council on Jan. 14 for council action. The board asked staff to continue communicating with the development community about timing and to consider a 12‑month notice practice going forward.

Next steps: staff will present the recommendation and timing options to City Council on Jan. 14; the council will set the fee and an effective date by resolution if it chooses to approve the change.