Aiken County Considers Impact Fees To Fund Growth, Lower Property Taxes

Aiken County Council weighs impact fees as one method to make new building projects shoulder costs for government services demanded by a growing population. Representatives from Raftelis, a consulting firm, presented this approach during a work session on Feb. 3.

Impact fees force developers to cover part of the expenses tied to expanding services. Developers shift these expenses onto buyers. The fees can tack thousands of dollars onto a house purchase.

Advocates argue that impact fees stop property tax hikes that would harm longtime residents and business owners. Without the fees, taxes would climb to cover growth-related expenses.

according to The Aiken Standard, County Council Chairman Gary Bunker asked panel members if they wanted to study this idea more. Based on their responses, it was a yes and that they wanted to keep looking at it. Bunker asked County Administrator Brian Sanders and his staff to assemble a plan for how the panel can proceed with the proposal.

Any decision will take time. Bunker compared the planning process to the Capital Project Sales Tax, but said it may be more complicated. For road work, the county could tap impact fees alone or blend them with state highway funds and Capital Project Sales Tax money. All plans must follow state law requirements.