Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/243343
Sarasota News Leader January 17, 2014 Page 48 Commissioner Nora Patterson was the only board member to object to the plan. Last year she voted against extending the discounted rates. The problem with short-term fee reductions, she pointed out then, was that no one ever wants the rates to go back to normal. Patterson argued Tuesday that road impact fees have never covered 100 percent of the actual cost to the county. Despite a "mini-construction boom" forecast for this year, she argued, the county is going to "get even further behind in meeting our road obligations." She was the only commissioner to vote against advertising the proposed amendments. Attorney Dan Lobeck, a fierce critic of the commission's development policies, argued in an e-blast that the commission should have listened to public input before advertising the reduced rates. "With construction now approaching boom levels and your road program severely underfunded, it is irresponsible to continue your slashing of road impact fees," he wrote. "It would be stark testimony to the undue influence of developers over this County Commission, a betrayal of the taxpayers as well as all who will be caught in the traffic gridlock you will induce by starving the road program." In addition to cementing the low rates, the changes would establish a new appeals process if an applicant believes he or she is being overcharged. Those complaints would be heard first by an impact fee administrator. "The goal is to work out these issues before it comes before the County Commission," Paul told the board Tuesday. With the commission's seal of approval, the amendment will come back to the board for a public hearing on Feb. 12. % Jonathan Paul makes a point to the County Commission in October. File photo