Laramie County declines to pursue transportation impact fees after consultant study

The Laramie County Board of Commissioners on May 20 heard a presentation on a transportation impact-fee study but signaled it will not pursue adoption now.

Consultant Colin Maccolini of Tishler Vice summarized the study’s methodology and recommended maximum fee levels for unincorporated areas: $1,418 per single-family dwelling, $567 per multifamily unit, $3,740 per 1,000 square feet of retail and $649 per 1,000 square feet of industrial development. Maccolini said the study estimates those maximum levels would generate about $7,700,000 in revenue over the next 10 years if applied to projected growth. He described impact fees as “one-time payments that new growth pays to offset their new demand on infrastructure,” limited to capital expansion, not maintenance, personnel or repairs.

The presentation, introduced by Christopher Yaney of the Cheyenne MPO, covered the incremental expansion methodology, local construction cost inputs and comparable fees in neighboring communities. Maccolini said the recommended single-family fee would be lower than many nearby jurisdictions; he cited a 2015 Cheyenne study that supported a higher fee in the past.

Afterward the commission discussed timing and housing priorities. The chair said the county had “engaged in this process” and appreciated the study but stated that, given the county’s housing commitments and timing, “I don’t believe there’s any intention of this body to move forward with any sort of impact fees.”

Molly Bennett of Laramie County Public Works said the county is developing a capital improvements plan and has roughly $300,000 in ARPA funding to begin that planning. Bennett said the CIP will guide where infrastructure dollars go and is available on the Cheyenne MPO website.

The county did not take action to adopt impact fees at the meeting; commissioners directed that the study and planning work be taken under advisement as the county continues CIP development.