Published: August 21, 2024
Bartow, Fla. (August 21, 2024) – On Tuesday, Aug. 20, the Board approved an “extraordinary circumstances study” to look at how much impact fees need to be raised to keep up with the county’s explosive population growth.
Impact fees are one-time charges levied on builders to cover a portion of the anticipated costs for additional infrastructure and public facilities necessitated by new development. Impact fees take into account how the new construction will affect the county’s roads, parks, schools, law enforcement, etc. Builders typically pass the cost of impact fees along to homeowners/businesses, meaning that existing homeowners are not affected.
Per Florida legislation, counties may not increase impact fees by more than 50% over a four-year period without first performing an extraordinary circumstances study to determine if a higher rate is necessary.
The Board will conduct workshops at 10:30 a.m. (or immediately following Agenda Review) on Aug. 30 and 10 a.m. (or immediately following the Board Meeting and Public Hearings) on Sept. 3, to examine the issue. A public hearing will take place on Sept. 17. The meetings will all take place in the Polk County Commission Boardroom at 330 W. Church, Bartow. The public is invited to attend.