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Long County board approves transmittal to renew impact fee as deadline approaches
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Summary
The Long County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously May 6 to send a transmittal to the CRC and DCA to renew the county impact fee for 2025–2029; County Manager Chuck Scragg said the $3,100 per‑home fee may be insufficient but must be renewed before any amendments.
The Long County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously May 6 to transmit paperwork to the Coastal Regional Commission and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to renew the county's impact fee for 2025–2029.
County Manager Chuck Scragg told residents at a public hearing that the current impact fee — approximately $3,100 for a single‑family home — is set to expire and must be renewed no later than June 2025. Scragg said the county must send a letter to the CRC to start the process and that renewing the existing fee is a prerequisite before the board can consider any substantive changes to the methodology or amounts.
"The fee may not be sufficient," Scragg said, according to meeting remarks, but he stressed the importance of renewing the current terms first so the county can review and amend them later if needed. He also said a citizens' committee could be created by a future vote to provide oversight or input into any review.
Commissioner John Reddish made the motion to approve the transmittal; Commissioner Jeremy Hall seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters: impact fees are intended to help fund infrastructure tied to new development. Because the county's five‑year review window requires renewal by June, the board acted to preserve the existing fee structure so staff and officials can study potential adjustments without risking a lapse.
Next steps: staff will transmit the letter to the CRC and DCA to initiate the renewal process. Any proposed changes to the fee calculation or amount would return to the board for public hearings and additional votes.