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Council cuts mobility fee for nonprofit veterans group to $12,000, flags policy review
Summary
Council reduced a $40,102 mobility fee for a veterans nonprofit remodeling a building in Destin to $12,000 after debate about precedent, credits for relocated businesses and nonprofit parity; council asked staff to review fee structure and credits for moving existing uses.
The council on April 7 approved a reduced mobility fee of $12,000 for a veterans nonprofit relocating to and renovating a building at 150 Aelia Drive.
Dan Dems, representing AMVETS (the nonprofit), said the project is a renovation with no new square footage and that the organization sought an exemption or reduction from a mobility fee of approximately $40,102 assessed because of a change of use. He described the nonprofit’s community services and argued that the fee could jeopardize completion of the project.
Council members debated precedent, asking whether existing businesses that relocate should receive a credit for transportation impact and whether nonprofits should be treated similarly to churches (which historically attract lower fee calculations under the code). Council concluded a compromise reduction was warranted for this project and amended a substitute motion to set the fee at $12,000 (reduction of roughly $29,000 from the assessed amount). The motion passed.
Council also directed staff to review the mobility fee rules, including potential credits for existing businesses that move locations and parity between nonprofit categories, to reduce future ad-hoc decisions on fee waivers.
What’s next: the reduced fee applies to the Anvets project as approved; staff will prepare recommendations on mobility fee credits and nonprofit policy for future council consideration.
Quote: “...we are requesting an exemption of the 40,102 mobility fee permit,” said Dan Dems, manager for the veterans organization.
