SUBJECT
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Public Hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance amending and restating Polk County Ordinance 2019-056, the Polk County Amended and Restated Comprehensive Impact Fee Ordinance, for the purpose of imposing updated rates for Emergency Medical System (EMS), Correctional Facilities, Transportation, Educational System, Library, Park, Fire Rescue, and Law Enforcement Impact Fees.
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DESCRIPTION
Polk County first implemented a program of impact fees in 1989. The Polk County Amended and Restated Comprehensive Impact Fee Ordinance (Ord. 19-056, as amended) requires that impact fee studies supporting the imposition of impact fees be updated at least once every five (5) years to demonstrate that the impact fees do not exceed reasonably anticipated costs associated with growth-necessitated capital improvements.
Accordingly, the County contracted with Alfred Benesch & Company (the "Consultant") to prepare an Impact Fee Update Study for all impact fee categories other than Transportation. (The County's Transportation Impact Fees were recently reviewed and updated pursuant to the Board's adoption of Ordinance 2023-025). The Consultant's study, along with a supplement thereto related to findings of extraordinary circumstances (collectively, the "2024 Study"), are both recommended by staff for consideration by the Board. The recommendations contained within the 2024 Study were presented to the Board at public work sessions held on August 16, August 30, and September 3, 2024. The Extraordinary Circumstances Supplement, as referenced above, demonstrates the need and justification for increasing impact fee rates in excess of those authorized by statute, in compliance with Section 163.31801(6)(g), Florida Statutes.
Based on recommendations of the Consultant and direction from the Board given during the above-referenced work sessions, staff has prepared the attached ordinance for the Board's consideration. The proposed ordinance, which would take effect o...
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