Warren Township board requests audit of permitting and impact-fee formula amid questions about 2005 valuation

The Board of Education of Warren Township High School District 121 asked district staff on Wednesday to audit local permitting agencies and return with recommendations for updating the district's impact-fee policy.

A district staff member explained that the district intends to use the Naperville formula to calculate impact fees and said the district is working with an attorney to determine appropriate fee levels. "So the fair market value, that would be the current fair market value, but, when, districts are trying to determine impact fees, most districts use what they call the Naperville formula," the staff member said, explaining land value is one of several variables.

Board members expressed concern about referencing a fixed dollar amount in board policy because market values change. One trustee noted the district's current policy dates to 2005 and asked whether the formula's land-value input should be updated to reflect recent market conditions. Members also discussed the district's multi-municipality footprint (including Gurnee, Wadsworth, Park City and Wildwood), and how municipalities and the county currently notify the district of new developments.

Staff told the board that many surrounding communities have ordinances directing developers to pay impact fees and that Gurnee, while lacking a specific ordinance, has been notifying the district of developments. Trustees asked staff to audit permitting agencies and report who is responsible for building permits and how the notification process works so the district can ensure it is informed in time to collect fees.

Administration said collected fees would be posted to Fund 20 (maintenance) and that staff would return with recommended updates. The board did not adopt new policy at the meeting but asked for follow-up information and an audit to be presented at a future meeting.