[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Altavia

Everyone benefits from new roads.

Those new roads would not have even been considered if it were not for the new development. All the work to create those new roads (Buena Vista extension and many others) and modify or improve existing roads (470, Morse, etc) was done only because it was needed to support the new development. Sure, anyone can use those roads now but the primary reason anyone would want to use the new roads is to access the new development. The new development had an impact on the road infrastructure - therefore a road impact fee.

New homes add over two billion cumulative dollars in taxable property to the Sumter real estate tax base each year.

That number might be a bit high. 3,000 homes at even $500K is only $1.5B.

Home owners pay more than their fair share for roads predominantly used by businesses, construction, under 55 people going to work, shopping, taking children to school, etc.

Homeowners pay close to 100% of the cost of roads through property tax and fuel tax today. My property taxes increased a few years ago in order to pay for the roads supporting development south of 44. What is my "fair share" of those roads?

If you are referring to homeowners south of 44 paying for roads south of 44 that are used to access businesses south of 44 then that is exactly how road impact fees are supposed to be designed with the understanding that businesses pay impact fees as well. The homeowners south of 44 are not paying more than their fare share. Because existing road impact fees were low they are not even paying up to their fare share. This was part of the argument against the large tax increase a few years ago and the increase road impact fees shortly after that were blocked by a new State law.

The fees should be calculated to determine the impact not only of the new homes but also of the new businesses. Permits for new business properties are assessed impact fees as well as schools and churches. Any new construction that will cause more traffic and have an impact on the road infrastructure pays a road impact fee based on the anticipated magnitude of that impact. Homeowners don't pay more than their fare share, they pay a share that is calculated to be proportional to their anticipated usage.

I haven't read the new study yet but let's assume the calculations are accurate and fair/defensible. Note that the new rates apply to permits issued after January 1, 2025 and are phased in over four years. Together, this means that it won't be until after January 1, 2028 that a new home/business/church/school/etc is assessed an impact fee that accurately represents the true impact it will have on roadways. Until then, everyone is paying less than their fare share EXCEPT for existing county residents and businesses who will make up the difference in their property taxes.