Editor's note:

After watching Fountain Inn establish a system of Impact Fees, I thought it would be appropriate to re-print this editorial by Chad O'Rear.

----------------

In our September 10 Business meeting I had a very significant proposal that was rejected by the majority of Council.  My proposal was to fund a study that would advise the city on how to impose Impact Fees on all future new development.  Not long ago, in this very newspaper, the Mayor of Ft. Inn laid out the pros and cons of Impact Fees and that city has decided to move forward with the state mandated study.  Many cities and counties across our great state are doing the same thing as we all deal with the staggering growth that we have seen over the last several years.  

Simply put, Impact Fees are paid in advance to the city or county by the developer when a new development or structure is to be built.  They are charged to residential, commercial, and industrial development, all at their own rates determined by the aforementioned study.  These fees can be in the thousands of dollars per structure.  As development continues over the years these fees can add up to millions of dollars.  Though the use of Impact Fees are restricted by state law they can help a city like Simpsonville avoid raising taxes in the future as we have to service the expanded infrastructure the new development creates.

As soon as a development is completed the city extends the services that we are all used to, police, fire, sanitation, water and sewer, and parks and rec.  Without the Impact Fees the city is already at a financial loss when that occurs.  Impact Fees help to mitigate the financial strain that this places on the taxpayers of Simpsonville.  

I believe it is not fair for the current residents, some who have been here for decades, to have to continue to fund a growing infrastructure that is being brought to us by new development!

The arguments at Council against my proposal were breathtaking.  According to the majority we have no more land left to develop!  A hand-colored map was presented as evidence to “prove” this.  That was followed by an argument that we could raise application fees to make the money and to avoid the restrictions of Impact Fees.  I wondered how this would work since I was already told we had no more land to impose fees of any kind on.  We were told that the cost of the Impact Fees would really just be a tax since they would be passed on to the homebuyer.  This could be true but our free-market economy may have something to say about that.  Also, the vast majority of homebuyers are moving here from out of state.  

 I am not opposed to development, but it is time that we ask the developers to partner with Simpsonville as we continue to grow together.  There is a reason the state has allowed these fees to be imposed and many of he cities and counties around the state are beginning to do just that.  I appreciate Councilman Rupe and Councilman Pinkerton voting with me on this issue.  This proposal would have very long-term positive effects on the city and I do plan to reintroduce it in the near future.

Editor’s note:

The vote that took place on the September 10th City Council meeting to defeat a proposal to fund an Impact Fee study was voted down by 3 council members and the Mayor. I support Impact Fees for Simpsonville as a way to lessen the effects of development on our infrastructure. Those responsible need to be held accountable. Mayor Shewmaker is up for re-election in 3 years as is Councilwoman Williams. Councilman Hutchings and Councilwoman Roche will be on the ballot next year. We need to reconsider voting for these council members in the next election.●