Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners name housing as top challenge; defend impact fees as necessary
Summary
Officials said housing availability is the county's top near-term obstacle and defended impact fees (question cited $20,000 per new home) as a mechanism for new development to pay for roads and infrastructure rather than shifting costs to existing residents.
Commissioners repeatedly named housing supply and cost as a primary constraint on population growth and local economic expansion. "The biggest obstacle, probably housing," Commissioner Almquist said, noting limits on septic permits, wells and distance from services in county areas.
Commissioner Snow addressed concerns about impact fees, which the moderator said can total "upwards of $20,000." Snow said impact fees are processed through advisory boards and the county budget and that they are intended to make new development pay for infrastructure rather than shift costs to existing residents. "Every citizen should know exactly what's happening with their dollars," Snow said, adding that impact fees go through public advisory boards and the commission agenda.
