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Impact Fees Are Needed For Strong Schools, Communities

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By ARLENE ANDREWS, Special to the Tribune

Published: December 2, 2007

I have lived in seven states in the past 15 years. At least twice I have had the experience of moving into communities experiencing growth like we are currently experiencing in Pasco County. I have paid my share of impact fees with each relocation - glady.

I enjoy Tom Jackson's column immensely and often concur with this fine gentleman, but Thanksgiving morning found me picking up my pencil in response to "Impact Fees Toll Not Limited To Newcomers."
Impact fees are not taxes. They are temporary fees designed to offset the potentially negative effects of explosive population growth. That they are charged to new homebuyers and apartment dwellers just makes sense. Once the school district plays catch-up, the fees can be rolled back.

No one should be exempt. Responsible developers get this. Even senior citizens will benefit from strong property values, or their estates will, when a retirement home is sold.
Apartment dwellers send their children to our schools. They should be sharing the cost of providing good schools for their children, as well.

Developers have always served as a successful point of collection. Collecting money for schools upfront enables communities to stay ahead of the curve with regard to growth. One should realize that by the time a single tax dollar actually makes it into a school system, a child has been in that system for two whole years. Where do we put students in the meantime? Children in overcrowded classrooms do not learn.

We must be proactive with regard to managing our growth. Pasco County cannot build schools fast enough. Schools are historically underfunded.

It is difficult for me to read that Pasco County officials ("School Road Accord Elusive," Nov. 21) suggest that the school district should pay to improve roads because the schools will negatively affect traffic patterns. Are they kidding?

It makes no sense for Realtors, newcomers or even developers to argue the fees.

Developers pass the expense along to the consumer. A buyer in the market for a $260,000 home will usually pay $265,600. Newcomers often pick a new home because of the strength of its schools. If schools suffer, so do real estate sales and property values. Everybody loses.

No doubt there may be a small number of thirtysome- thing, career-minded couples who do not plan to have children - ever. I do not know any. They will still benefit from a community with strong schools as their property values continue to climb over time. They should not reap the benefits of a strong school community without contributing to it.

Ultimately, the market will decide if explosive growth will continue or level out. Collection of impact fees will enable us to proactively manage the growth. For growth to be successful, we must stay ahead of the curve.

I respectfully urge the honorable people who sit on the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners to put aside any posturing, political affiliations or friendships that may prevent them from doing so and vote for approving the maximum impact fee the law allows for schools - as soon as possible. We have a lot of catching up to do!

The writer, who lives in Wesley Chapel, chairs the Wiregrass Ranch High School Advisory Committee, serves on the school's PTSA Legislative Committee and also sits on the Dr. John Long Middle School Advisory Committee.

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