To the Editor:
I am a full-time Villages resident. I attended the Board of Sumter County Commissioners meeting at the Everglades Rec Center on Jan. 12 when the road impact fees were tabled for six months. This is what I observed.
There were many working people from all types of local businesses represented at the meeting. There were also numerous retirees in attendance. Although many workers parked their vehicles at the rec center, there was also plenty of parking at the Publix strip mall next door. There was an overflow room to accommodate the large number of people who came to the meeting. No one was blocked from attending this meeting and everyone in attendance had an opportunity to speak during the public forum.
The commissioners explained in the meeting that the county cannot selectively target a single business, or category of businesses, and impose a road impact fee increase on just them. Even though some taxpayers at the meeting wanted to increase the road impact fee ONLY on The Villages Developer, it would be illegal to do so. Any increase must be charged proportionately against every land use. That includes commercial, industrial, manufacturing, medical, and housing (both retirement and non-retirement homes and apartments). Commissioner Oren Miller proposed an increase of 150 percent and, even after listening to public feedback, he was unwavering in his extraordinarily high proposal. At first, Commissioner Gary Search backed Mr. Miller’s proposition. However, in the end, Mr. Search said he would consider a lesser amount. None of the other commissioners supported a 150 percent increase. There was a legitimate concern that the magnitude of the increase proposed by Commissioner Miller would discourage business and residential growth throughout Sumter, thus stagnating the county’s economy.
For those in attendance, this meeting clarified that any kind of business who builds, expands, or leases new space in Sumter County would be affected by raising road impact fees. The actual dollar increase resulting from a 150 percent rise in fees for each type of land use was shocking to me. It’s not just about The Developer. It’s not just about The Villages. The cost of building EVERYTHING will increase (including attempts to build affordable housing for young families). This is not as simple as tacking a few thousand dollars onto the price of a new home in The Villages. Those commissioners who were not totally on board with Mr. Miller’s proposal were taking into consideration how raising impact fees by 150 percent would impact their long-term vision of economic prosperity (which is dependent on drawing new businesses to this area). Sumter County needs new businesses of every type to invest here in order to shift the tax burden away from residential property owners.
At the meeting it was heartbreaking to listen to the stress from all the hard-working young people who were terrified that the rug was about to be pulled out from under them. Even a guy who just makes T-shirts for a living and wants to expand his small business pleaded for the commissioners to not make it cost prohibitive for him. Many businesses described how they have been struggling to keep their operations afloat during the pandemic. Retailers and restaurants are experiencing low customer traffic. Construction companies are dealing with large price increases and decreasing availability of materials. COVID has had a crushing effect on all our local businesses, including medical facilities where people are afraid to walk through their doors. Every business said that implementing a massive impact fee increase (such as the one proposed by Commissioner Miller) on top of their already fragile financial condition could cripple or shut down their hopes for future business in Sumter County. They were serious. This is a big deal.
There were people at the meeting who spoke on both sides of this issue. The commissioners, along with everyone in the audience, were respectful of each speaker. The commissioners decided to table this topic until July. They determined that pausing for six months would allow them the time they need to do more research while COVID, hopefully, subsides. To me, it seemed like a responsible decision by our commissioners who, after listening to hours of public input, were trying to do the right thing for the future of Sumter County. I see no merit in criticizing the venue, the parking, the commissioners, or anyone’s opinion in or outside of the meeting.
I applaud the commissioners’ decision to put this topic on hold so that they can do their due diligence. The commissioners also need to consider that our local businesses will soon be facing cost increases as a result of upcoming State amendment and legislative actions. For example, Amendment 2 (which calls for a gradual increase to the $15 minimum wage in Florida) will also have a negative effect on business profitability. I trust that our commissioners will take all this into account while doing their research.
Raising road impact fees by a whopping 150 percent is something that should not be taken lightly or rushed into at this time. Be patient. Give our commissioners a break. Respect each other’s opinions and the commissioners’ ultimate decision.
Marilyn Iskra
Village of Osceola Hills at Soaring Eagle
