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Highlands Today

Builders Praise Idea Of Citizens Committee

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By Jim  Konkoly | Highlands Today

Published: January 16, 2008

SEBRING — The Highlands County commissioners appear likely to appoint a citizens advisory committee that will advise them on whether to raise or lower impact fees.

Commissioner Don Bates brought the idea up for discussion for the first time at the commissioners' Tuesday meeting.

No action was taken, but the five county commissioners agreed to discuss it again at their next meeting, Jan. 22.

Bates said he raised the idea of forming a citizens committee on this controversial issue at the request of the Highlands County Economic Development Commission, to which he serves as the commissioners' liaison.

Bates said he personally endorses the idea and believes it will be approved by the full five-member county commission, though not for at least several weeks and, more likely, within several months.

"I think we need to have a mechanism to have input from the citizens on this issue," Bates said. "I think we need to stay in touch with the citizens."

"I've had a couple of e-mails," Bates added, "and some other counties are considering changing their (impact fees)."

DeSoto County is one of the counties reported to be considering a decrease in impact fees as a response to the severe recession in the home-building industry.

"That's what generated the interest" in naming a citizens advisory or review committee on impact fees in Highlands County, Bates said.

Al Moretz, executive director of the Highlands County Builders Association, said he hopes the citizens committee is formed as a step toward what he calls "fair and equitable" impact fees.

"We certainly hope the committee is formed in light of the current economic situation with the construction industry, and we would like to see it discussed," Moretz said in response to Bates bringing up the idea of a citizens review committee.

Impact fees did not cause the terrible slump in home construction, Moretz said, but these fees are one of the factors that affect it.

"We as an association have never said the impact fees are the sole reason for the current construction difficulties," he explained.

"What we do say," he continued, "is that anything that adds to the cost of a new home takes a certain number of people out of the market, whether it be impact fees or the cost of roof shingles or the cost of plumbing or electrical."

Moretz said the construction industry would hope to have "a seat at the table" if a citizens committee is formed to comment on and give advice to the county commissioners regarding impact fees.

"As long as any increase is fair and equitable, that's the only thing we are concerned about," he said. "We just strive to attempt to have some influence over impact fees being fair and any increase being fair and equitable."

Asked if the builders would support a decrease in impact fees, as is being discussed by Desoto County commissioners, Moretz answered,

"I certainly can't imagine us being against that."

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