Nassau Commission imposes moratorium on impact fees

Nassau Commission imposes moratorium on impact fees

By MELISSA BURNSED

The Nassau County Commission voted Friday, to suspend the collection of impact fees for six months and reduced building permit fees by 50 percent for a year. The temporary act is seen as a way to stimulate the flagging home building market within the county. Like much of the country, Nassau’s housing sales have plummeted as the downward economy has tightened requirements for home loans.

Both reductions are effective July 1. Impact fees collected for the Nassau County School District will not be effected by the suspension, according to County Coordinator Edward Sealover.

County Commissioner Mike Boyle was quoted in the Florida Times Union about reducing permit fees, "It is my belief that we are justified in doing that for a year’s time to hopefully stimulate some additional growth in the area,"

Sealover estimated the expected savings to builders will be more than $1.7 million based on past statistics.

The Northeast Florida Builders Association membership has expressed optimism that builders will benefit from the reductions through increased sales.

Boyle isn’t as confident that the reductions will lead to more development, stating in an interview, "I’m skeptical about the effect it will have, but I’m willing to give it a chance to see if the others are right and I’m not."

Nassau County will closely track the reduction in fees and the moratorium on impact fees to see what effect they have.