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Citrus County presses pause on fee hikes, agrees to refine impact‑fee changes and study concurrency fix
Summary
At a public workshop, staff proposed adding right‑of‑way acquisition to transportation impact fees (phased over two years). Commissioners agreed unanimously to pursue a 'non‑concurrency' approach in the comp plan and to return for a second workshop after removing age‑based fee discounts.
The Citrus County Board spent substantial time on Feb. 11 reviewing proposed changes to transportation impact fees and a possible reintroduction of a form of traffic concurrency. Eric Landon of growth management presented tables showing current fees and the effect of adding right‑of‑way acquisition: staff’s illustration showed one‑year figures rising from roughly $13,000 to $15,000 and a second‑year number near $17,000 for a single‑family unit under certain scenarios.
Why it matters: Adding right‑of‑way acquisition into impact fees would increase per‑unit charges and could raise the cost of new homes or shift costs between builders and buyers, a point stressed by builders and residents who testified.
Board direction and next steps: Commissioners agreed to bring back a second workshop focused on two actions: (1) removing the age‑based discount columns (the 'age restriction') from the fee tables and (2) directing staff to pursue a non‑concurrency approach modeled on Pasco County to reintroduce a fairness/fair‑share mechanism in the comprehensive plan (staff said the Pasco approach can be adopted without changing state law). The board signaled unanimous consensus on including non‑concurrency language in the comp plan update and returning for a second workshop before any final vote.
Voices from the public: Builders and the Citrus County Building Alliance urged caution. Katrina Letourneau said adding right‑of‑way costs felt "punitive" for consumers and could add nearly $9,300–$10,000 in one scenario. Josh Wheaton, CEO of the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, urged a comprehensive approach and waiting to see state legislative activity. Commissioners debated tradeoffs: Commissioner Jeff Kennard emphasized protecting infill and ensuring fees capture right‑of‑way costs so existing residents are not left covering the bill; Commissioner Rebecca Bays urged incentives for infill and removing age‑based restrictions to promote workforce housing.
What was not decided: The board did not adopt a fee increase at the meeting; the motion was to direct staff to develop and return with refined options for a second workshop and subsequent action.
