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West Bend commission weighs raising park impact fees as residential growth approaches
Summary
At its Jan. 29 meeting the West Bend Park and Recreation Commission reviewed a decades-old park impact fee schedule, learned the city holds about $495,000 in impact fees and could collect roughly $3.7 million by 2032, and asked staff to develop a recommendation to update fees that have not changed since 2002.
At the Jan. 29 meeting of the West Bend City Park and Recreation Commission, staff reviewed the history, rules and financial position of the city’s park impact and acquisition fees and recommended the commission ask staff to develop a formal recommendation to increase those fees.
Mike (Parks staff) told the commission the fees “haven’t been increased since 2002” and noted the current balance in the impact-fee account is $495,000. He said projected potential revenues tied to pending residential development could total about $3.7 million between now and 2032. “I wouldn’t spend $495,000 without a game plan,” he said.
Why it matters: Wisconsin statutes allow municipalities to charge developers park impact or acquisition fees for new residential development, but the fees are legally restricted to land acquisition and the development of new park space and amenities (not routine maintenance or existing building renovations). Staff also reminded the commission that fees must be refunded if not used within seven years.
What staff presented: The commission heard a per-unit example used in the staff worksheet — $19.79 per dwelling unit for single-family homes — and comparisons showing local variation (Port Washington’s single-family rate was cited by staff as roughly $3,800 per unit). Staff outlined candidate projects that could be funded with impact fees, including a skate park at Regner Park, neighborhood park elements tied to the Parkside Oak development, trailheads for the Ice Age Trail and Riverwalk connections that would link new subdivisions to existing parks.
Next steps: Commissioners asked staff to research comparables and return with a formal recommendation. A staff member described the two-step process: present the recommendation to the commission and, if approved, forward it to the Common Council. Several commissioners signaled general support for pursuing an update at the next review.
Context and constraints: Staff emphasized that impact fees may only be used for new amenities and land acquisition, not for replacing existing facilities, and that the city typically reviews such expenditures with the city attorney to ensure appropriate use. The commission also discussed coordinating utility work tied to Parkside Oak and timing to avoid re‑digging recently reconstructed streets.
What’s next: Staff will compile comparisons to peer communities, refine per-unit calculations, and return to the commission with a recommended fee schedule and proposed ordinance to forward to the Common Council.
