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Council discusses parks impact fees, maintenance gap and capital planning
Summary
Councilors debated whether parks impact fees can fund future growth versus maintenance of existing parks; staff said impact fees can only fund new facilities and recommended splitting existing deficiencies (maintenance) from growth needs when developing fee proposals.
Council members and planning staff discussed a proposal to explore parks and open space impact fees as a long-term funding source. Director Penny explained state rules limit impact fees to facilities needed for future growth and cannot be used to pay for existing deficiencies or routine maintenance.
"You can't charge new development for existing deficiencies," Penny said, noting CIP entries (including a parcel near the wastewater treatment plant) were included as part of a 20-year plan but that maintenance needs such as restroom repairs and invasive species removal are not eligible for impact fee funding. Councilors emphasized the need to identify specific deficiencies that could be addressed through separate funding streams (levies, bonds, grants) and to ask the Parks & Open Space commission for a more detailed review.
Council asked staff to clarify eligible uses and return with a breakdown of existing maintenance needs versus new facilities that could be funded by impact fees. The Parks and Open Space commission will review the work plan at its upcoming meeting.
