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County and school board review interlocal agreement rewrite and draft impact-fee study; officials say fees likely insufficient to build new schools
Summary
County and school board attorneys reported progress updating the interlocal agreement and an impact-fee study draft; officials said the district's impact-fee fund is being used for renovations, playgrounds and portable leases, but that impact fees alone will not cover new school construction.
County and school board attorneys updated the joint meeting on an interlocal agreement rewrite and a draft impact-fee study meant to align school concurrency and impact-fee charges with actual costs.
An attorney working with the land-growth committee said the existing interlocal agreement is about 20 years old and the team is revising cost and concurrency provisions to make impact and concurrency fees reflect true, current costs. The goal, the attorney said, is to create a streamlined, uniform process for developers, municipalities and county staff; the updated agreement is expected to come to the boards for review in late spring or early summer.
Dr. Burns presented a draft of the district's impact-fee study (prepared by the same firm that worked for the county) and an annual impact-fee collections report that the district must share with the county. He said the draft includes recommendations that could increase impact fees, but the consultant needs additional data before the district will act on any changes.
The annual report outlined the district's impact-fee fund balance and recent uses. Dr. Burns identified planned or ongoing uses: a Yulee Middle School cafeteria renovation, additional playground/parking improvements, ongoing portable leases to address enrollment growth and set-asides for a future school. He emphasized the district has collected impact fees over many years but said those funds alone are not sufficient to build a new school.
When asked for construction ballparks, a facilities representative estimated roughly $40 million for an elementary school and about $90 million for a high school including athletic fields and full amenities. Board and county members noted the funding gap and discussed options for covering the remaining cost beyond impact-fee reserves.
No formal action or vote was taken during the meeting on the interlocal agreement or impact-fee changes; staff said additional study and internal meetings are planned and that draft language will be returned to the boards for feedback later in the spring or early summer.
