PLACERVILLE, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors adopted an updated fire impact fee nexus study for El Dorado Hills and authorized an increase in development impact fees after a public hearing on Jan. 6.

County staff said state changes to the Mitigation Fee Act (effective Jan. 1, 2022) require updated nexus studies and periodic updates; the El Dorado Hills Fire District provided an updated study with square-footage-based calculations and clearer level-of-service explanations.

Presenters said fire apparatus and equipment costs have risen sharply; Chief Lilienthal noted that a new engine’s cost has climbed considerably and that fees help ensure fire agencies can maintain service levels as development occurs. The fees were presented as tied to the district’s service-level standards and will be applied to new development when building permits are pulled.

Public comment included both support and technical questions from stakeholders, including the building industry and residents. After closing the hearing and brief deliberation, the Board approved the resolution with a 5–0 vote. The new fees will take effect 60 days after the meeting.

What changed: The nexus-study methodology emphasizes current level-of-service standards and charges fees to new development when growth occurs rather than projecting fee revenue based on speculative builds.

Implementation: Staff and the fire district said the fees will be charged when building permits are issued; projects that are not yet entitled were excluded from revenue projections but would be subject to fees when they proceed.

Quote: "This is important for us to keep pace with growth as it comes in and the impacts that are created," Chief Lilienthal said.