Balancing Growth and Services: Palm Bay City Council Tackles Impact Fee Overhaul

City Council Meeting on February 1, 2024 in City Council Chambers. 120 Malabar Rd. SE at 6 PM.

Palm Bay City Council Meeting: A Closer Look at the Impact Fee Presentation

Greetings, Palm Bay residents! As we approach the City Council meeting scheduled for February 1st, 2024, there's a particular agenda item that stands out amidst a relatively light schedule: a presentation on the updated Police and Fire Impact Fees. Let's dive into what this means for our community and whether the proposed fees align with the Council's priorities.

Understanding Impact Fees

Impact fees are crucial for ensuring that new developments contribute their fair share to the expansion of city services. These fees are not used for operations, maintenance, or replacement costs but are instead directed towards capital costs associated with growth. Without these fees, the burden could fall on existing taxpayers, or the city might face a degradation in service levels or even an inability to construct necessary facilities.

The 2024 Impact Fee Study

The upcoming presentation by Peter Napoli from Stantec will shed light on the proposed changes to the Police and Fire Impact Fees. The last update to these fees was in 2019, and since then, the US ENR - CCI Index, which measures construction costs, has risen by 20%. This indicates a need for adjustment in fees to keep up with the increasing costs of infrastructure.

Legislative Constraints and Methodology

House Bill 337 has introduced reforms to Florida's Impact Fee Law, setting "Phase-In Limitations" on increases. Fees can only be raised once every four years, with increases over 50% not allowed. To exceed these limitations, a special study must be conducted, followed by two publicly noticed workshops and a two-thirds approval from the Council.

The methodology for calculating the fees involves a multi-year capital improvement plan and considers only expansion or growth-related projects. Costs are escalated to future dollars, and the functional population is used as a common unit of measurement to estimate the number of people served by the infrastructure.

The Proposed Fees

The study presents a detailed phase-in schedule for the Police and Fire Impact Fees, with comparisons to current fees and the percentage change. For instance, the proposed Police Impact Fee for a single-family dwelling unit is set at $498.00, a 25% increase from the current fee of $398.15. The fees vary by land use and are designed to reflect the different impacts each type of development has on city services.

Comparing Palm Bay to Other Cities

The study includes a survey comparing Palm Bay's proposed and current fees with those of other cities in the region. This comparison is crucial as it provides context on where Palm Bay stands in relation to its neighbors. However, the study notes that there was no analysis of surveyed entities to compare funding sources, levels of service, age of infrastructure, time of last study, or other contributing factors.

Next Steps and Considerations

The City Council will consider adopting the calculated impact fees as presented and set a public hearing date for adoption. The notice for this hearing is required 90 days before the effective date.

Reflecting on Council Priorities

As we look at the proposed impact fee structure, it's essential to ask whether these fees truly reflect the priorities of the City Council. The fees are a tangible expression of how the city plans to support its growth and maintain the quality of services. With the strategic planning process kicked off by the city, these fees should align with the broader vision and mission identified for Palm Bay.

Your Voice Matters

Residents of Palm Bay, your input is valuable as the city shapes its future. The City Council meeting is an opportunity to engage with the process and express your views on the proposed fees. Remember, these decisions will impact how our city grows and how well it can serve its expanding population.

Stay tuned to The Palm Bayer for real-time updates and in-depth coverage of the City Council meeting. Your informed participation is what makes our community strong. Let's continue to build a Palm Bay that reflects our collective vision and priorities.