Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Impact Fees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Okeechobee commissioners set policy directions for proposed impact-fee ordinance
Summary
County staff asked for direction on four items in a draft impact-fee ordinance; commissioners agreed on board approval of credits/donations, a 125% security for donated infrastructure, a 3% county administrative fee and a 10-year expenditure window for collected fees.
County staff sought direction Dec. 18 on four key policy choices in a draft 2025 impact-fee ordinance: affordable-housing adjustments, donations/credits in lieu of fees, the administrative collection fee and the time window for spending collected impact fees.
Jessica, the staff presenter, outlined comparisons to surrounding counties and asked the board for guidance on each item. She said the final draft study prepared by consultant Kimley Horn used the ITE 12th edition for calculations and that interlocal agreements with the city and school district were under way. "At this time... we are requesting board direction on 4 items within that ordinance," Jessica said.
On donations and credits, staff noted surrounding-county approaches: Indian River uses a 125% security, St. Lucie 115%, Hendry 120%; the county’s existing subdivision requirement already uses 125% for infrastructure bonding. After discussion commissioners directed staff to adopt a 125% security requirement for donations/credits and to require board-level approval for any credit or donation, rather than delegating that authority to the county administrator.
The board also discussed affordable-housing adjustments. Several commissioners expressed concern about broad waivers and one commissioner proposed a zero-percent automatic rebate in light of recent legislative changes; the board signaled it would not adopt a wholesale waiver for market-rate projects and requested staff craft targeted language rather than an automatic exemption.
On administrative fees, staff described nearby practices ranging from 1.5% to 4% for collection/administration. Commissioners agreed the county will set a 3% administrative fee and will negotiate the city's share in the interlocal agreement. For the time allowed to expend collected fees, commissioners opted for a 10‑year period with a 180‑day request-for-expiration window so the county has flexibility to complete projects and avoid required refunds.
Staff said it would incorporate the board’s direction into the draft ordinance and continue interlocal negotiations with the city and the school board before returning with a formal ordinance for adoption.
