Charge 100 percent of impact fee recommendation
I favor a 100 percent impact fee and half-cent sales tax, but ...
Commissioner Carol Whitmore said, "We have to do something to pay for those 40,000 extra people that came." Forgetting they came because she and others approved most every development while not demanding 100 percent impact fees to pay for them, often favoring low-income homes that can't pay.
With roads clogged with 360,000 residents, 14 percent in poverty, demanding costly services, tax revenue per capita around $2,311.71 we taxpayers already pay, we need impact fees?
Commission policies on "low income" may seem a kind, generous policy helping the poor. But unintended consequences will bring a disproportionate crush of low-income citizens growing from 14 percent now to over 50 percent like numerous failed big cities. Above median incomes and housing support the large numbers below them. More low income people brought with inducements forces those with sufficient income and house prices through their taxes to fund it all.
Excess low-income numbers depresses their potential to find jobs, especially well-paying jobs. Labor supply already far exceeds demand for these jobs. Encouraging more to settle is cruel, making it worse, for them and other taxpayers.
Impact fees make new buyers buy into existing infrastructure current tax payers' paid for, fairly adding value to all homes. Homes above $280,000 are generally cash; impact fees have little affect on such sales or construction (6 percent of county employment).
The commission and school board shouldn't consider higher taxes on existing citizens, like the half (full cent if both) sales tax, without 100 percent suggested impact fee rates making new development pay for new infrastructure.
Consider a 2 percent gas tax. Spend it all on bridges, overpasses and better roads. Do not commit us to many more expensive 30-year bonds. No costly off-year elections. We'll remember in November!
David R. Kraner
Palmetto
This story was originally published May 4, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Charge 100 percent of impact fee recommendation ."