Thoughts on proposed impact fees moratorium
To the editor:
The Lee County commissioners tripled the impact fees in June of 2007, based on a study done in 2005. Obviously, a few things changed in that time, kind of like showing up at a house fire with a can of gasoline. I estimate that impact fees now account for approximately 20 percent of the actual construction cost.
Permitting activity has been at historic lows since then, of course due to economic conditions, but if we think we can continue to charge astronomical impact fees and encourage any construction,
We are completely delusional. Isn’t that why people moved here in the first place, because we were more affordable than up north? Not anymore.
Before commissioners decide about a moratorium on impact fees, they should check out the current costs, and make an informed decision. Either that, or wait to build something, and get the shock of your life.
Robert Case
LIS Architecture, Engineering, & Land Surveying
Alva