Developer view of impact fees burdens taxpayers

The Pat Neal saga continues to headline county news with Neal's outlook on impact fees. Simple equation here, folks; Neal sold 1,000 homes in 2015 and the average impact fee is $6,000 per home. You do the math and see what the county lost in revenue.

This has been going on since 2008 and it has certainly impacted my taxes! Is the economy still in a recession? Neal thinks so as he closes in on record sales.

This decision on impact fees will create the need for some serious IOU's to be called in by Neal. Politicians, get ready for that phone call you know is coming. Betsy, you may have to fund your own campaign in 2016 for not twisting enough arms behind closed doors for Pat.

Another Neal issue is Harbor Sound with Neal in total denial of any wrongdoing pertaining to rules and regulations protecting the wetlands. Wake up!

The uptick here is Neal has the solution to combat global warming and for rising oceans; back fill it! This is beach and land renourishment the Neal-way. Next he will look for the county/city to pay him for his services.

You remind us of the kid that shows up with the only football available and wants to be able to change the rules and stack the deck or else he will take his ball and go home.

Allowing Pat Neal to proceed with this project is setting a precedent for all land use in this county. The city council created a real ball game with this one.

The solution is to vote them all out and elect civic-minded people who will represent the folks, not the developer.

Bob Harrington

Bradenton

This story was originally published January 5, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Developer view of impact fees burdens taxpayers ."