County could seek fees

Public entities, private firms and public-private organizations all get squeezed when consumer demand dips. But, trying to coordinate a lockstep climb out of a recession is a tough task.

When the Public Facilities Financing Advisory Board met Friday, July 13, members acknowledged that road impact fees have plummeted since 2007 and are now resting at the forecasted bottom of the skid at $2.7 million. The board discussed ways to bolster Sarasota County revenues, which included utility fees — taxes on electricity, natural gas and water.

“I’m not going to vote to increase anything,” said advisory board member Ed Wyatt. “There’s way too many (fees) out there now.”

Wyatt gave the single dissenting vote when the five-member board voted in favor of studying similar utility fees in charter counties in other states, which is an option that was opened in March but swiftly dismissed by the Sarasota County Commission. “Now that we have (Sarasota County) have staff assistance, let’s open that file — that vault — and peek in once again,” said board member Roland Piccone. “Let’s look at more fees to finance public facilities.”

By 2013, the impetus to find alternative revenue sources could weaken. Any building permit issued after Feb. 1, 2013, will be subject to double the road impact fees charged since early 2011. Sarasota County commissioners cut those fees in half to encourage private capital investment following the housing crash.

Similarly, the moratorium on educational system impact fees will expire Dec. 14, two years after the Governing Board of the Sarasota County School District and the Sarasota County Commission voted in support of the measure. The fee applies only to residential construction and is dependant on local demand for education, which will be discussed during preliminary school budget talks July 24 and July 31.