Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr
I'm trying to understand why the developer "should" be bearing these costs. Aren't the residents the ones that benefit from these services. In every other type of government, the residents pay for these services through taxes.
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In most areas of the country that are not set up as CDDs, the developer pays for the roads, sewer, water, utilities etc. That cost is built into the price of the home so no buyer ever knows about the issue of impact fees. Here, it is different and traditionally in TV, the taxpayer has shouldered much of the burden. Either way the taxpayer/homeowner is paying for it. It is a fallacy to think that the "developer" ever eats those fees.
Is it fair for existing homeowners to pay for new homeowners? Yes and no. Everyone benefits from the increased services a thriving economy has brought to this area due to "the developer" Sumter County 30 years ago was the poorest county in Florida, now it is 11th out of 60+. Everyone benefits from the retail opportunities, the restaurant choices, the grocery stores, the employment opportunities.
To those that think this is "the developer's sweetheart impact fee deal", consider this: Who paid the impact fee when YOUR house was new? Or is it just a case of changing the rules after they got their benefit and denying it to future home buyers?