It's time for developers, builders to pay their share

In reference to your Nov. 13 front-page story on impact fees, what does Mary D. Slapp, executive director of the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange, mean for Manatee County "to take a more holistic approach?" One would assume that the builders and developers have had a "free ride" since about 2009. It is time for them to pay their share toward the costs of maintenance and improvements to our infrastructures (schools, roads, sewage, utilities). The Manatee County Planning Commission should update the impact fee ordinance immediately.

Of course, the developers and other building representatives will object. The surge in new developments and new construction, since 2010, has benefited them and not Manatee County. Finally, increased impact fees will lessen the potential tax increases on homeowners to upgrade the infrastructures.

John Hudak

Bradenton

This story was originally published November 18, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "It's time for developers, builders to pay their share ."