Fort Mill’s impact fees vote set for Monday

Fort Mill Town Council is expected to decide Monday whether the town will charge impact fees.

Council made one last push toward consensus Thursday duringa five-hour workshop. Positions did not seem to change from the board’s 4-3 vote on the first reading of the impact fee ordinance.

The debate is over the need and effect of impact fees. Some say the fees will keep businesses from locating within the town limits. Other say the town needs a way to pay for services as population doubles within 10 years. Impact fees are the best solution to date, they said.

One of the four proposed fees will likely pass. The park and recreation fee would only charge new residential construction, a category that council members have no reservation billing. Fees for municipal, fire and transportation funds would be charged on all new construction, from homes to business to churches and schools.

That causes heartache for some members. A proviso in the state budget means schools would be exempt for a year, as the town lobbies state elected officials for a permanent fix. Businesses get no such reprieve.

“Had we known what state law was, it would’ve died right there,” said councilman Larry Huntley. He said he never anticipated charging business and schools when the council approved the impact fee study last year.

Councilwoman Guynn Savage, joined Huntley and Lisa McCarley as “no” votes at first reading. She said she sees need for funding the effecs of growth. She said she also sees the perception fees could create for future commercial projects.

“I also see their perspective, and their perspective is how it is,” Savage said. “They determine where their investment is going to go.”

Councilman James Shirey said impact fees are more flexible than the town’s other options: tax increases and accompanying bonds.

The council can set and then alter percentages on how much the town charges for impact fees at any time.

“This thing, you can turn it on, turn it off, turn it up, turn it down,” said Shirey who voted yest at the first reading of the ordinance along with Tom Adams, Ronnie Helms and Mayor Danny Funderburk. “You can’t do that with a tax.”

Funderburk said charging for parks and recreation is a start, but sees more than that department facing a funding crunch.

“How would it help with fire?” he said. “How would it help with municipal needs? Those aren’t going away.”

The council meets for second and final reading on the fees at 7 a.m. Mondayat the Town Hall. A public hearing is not cheduled on the impact fee and related ordinances, though a general public comment period will be held.

This story was originally published August 22, 2015 at 11:36 AM with the headline "Fort Mill’s impact fees vote set for Monday."