Manatee County School Board to revisit impact fee, sales tax resolution

BRADENTON -- The Manatee County School Board plans to revisit a controversial decision linking the collection of impact fees and the extension of the sales tax.

The item has been placed on next Tuesday's agenda for discussion. Brought forward by board member Dave Miner, it could reverse the decision made by the school board in November, and return to Superintendent Diana Greene's original recommendation on impact fees.

"I think there are many in the community who feel the superintendent's original recommendation, which did not include the proviso, would best serve the community," Miner said.

School impact fees will start to be collected again April 18.

The board sent a resolution

to county commissioners in November, asking them to reinstate school-based impact fees, based on a state-mandated study that helped calculate what can be collected on new developments. School impact fees are used to help handle growth in the county, including building new schools, buying new buses or adding on to existing schools.

Greene recommended a three-year implementation schedule, collecting 50 percent of the maximum allowed impact fees the first year, 75 percent of the maximum allowed impact fees the second year and 100 percent of the maximum allowed in the third year and onward.

The board added a caveat, saying if the community voted to extend an existing half-cent sales tax in the county, the impact fee collection rate would drop back to 50 percent. The sales tax sunsets in 2017 and, although the board has yet to pass a resolution, it is expected voters will take action on the extension this November. Sales tax money brings in more revenue for the district and can be used on more projects than impact fees.

The Manatee County Commission approved the school board resolution with that caveat, but many commissioners questioned why the board chose to link impact fees and the sales taxes. The issue has continued to arise since the vote. During a Council of Governments meeting Tuesday, where various elected officials get together to discuss issues in the community, Commissioner Robin DiSabatino brought the issue up again.

"I guess I'm the 400-pound gorilla in the room," she said. "I don't think it should be bundled with the impact fees going back to 50 percent."

She said it would be in the best interest of the school board to unlink the two to help ensure passage of the sales tax resolution. Others in the community have spoken out making the same argument, including Norm Nelson, a Manatee County citizen. At every board meeting since the decision, Nelson has spoken during public comment and asked the board to revisit the decision.

On Wednesday, school board Chairwoman Karen Carpenter said she thought the issue worth discussing, but doesn't expect an actual vote Tuesday.

"We're happy to discuss everything," Carpenter said. "I think this is worthy of discussion."

Depending on board discussion, a formal vote could be scheduled for a future meeting, or the board could decide to leave the resolution as is.

Meghin Delaney, education reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7081. Follow her on Twitter @MeghinDelaney.

This story was originally published April 6, 2016 at 11:08 PM with the headline "Manatee County School Board to revisit impact fee, sales tax resolution ."