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Political Hot Button Raises Head Again

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 21, 2008

Hillsborough County commissioners are right to explore ways to stimulate the economy, but they're wrong to suggest cutting impact fees in half.

Developers pay impact fees to offset the impact their projects have on schools, roads and water services. These fees ensure that growth pays for itself. Minus new roads and schools, the state's growth management law could prevent Hillsborough from approving more housing developments.

For years, impact fees have been a political hot button in Hillsborough. Ralph Hughes, who contributes heavily to local campaigns, wants them eliminated altogether. Because of the influence of such developers, the commission refused to raise the school impact fee above $196 for nearly 20 years. Meanwhile, the county amassed $1.2 billion in debt to build new schools.

And commissioners wonder why people believe they are in the pocket of developers.

In September 2006, however, Commissioner Mark Sharpe took a leadership role and helped shape an agreement that raised the school impact fee to $4,000.

Now Commissioner Jim Norman wants to cut it in half.

Someone should tell Norman that people haven't stopped buying houses because of impact fees. They aren't buying because of inflated prices, credit tightening, exorbitant property taxes on new homes and the mess in the property insurance market.

If anything, impact fees would allow continued construction and feed the economy with jobs and spending.

The county should push ahead with public works projects, wherever possible.

When the housing crisis ebbs, the presence of adequate roads and schools would improve Hillsborough's reputation as a desirable place to live.

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