Dear Simpsonville Residents,

As your councilman, I believe it’s important to explain why our council is considering impact fees on new developments and why many residents have asked us to take this step.  

The reason we should have them in place is actually quite simple: when a new subdivision, apartment complex, or commercial development is built, it places additional demands on our roads, public safety services, parks, stormwater systems, and other infrastructure. This is an added cost that existing taxpayers often end up covering.

Impact fees are designed to ensure that a fair portion of those costs are paid by new developers rather than being shifted onto current residents. 

Growth is coming. We can’t stop it.  In many ways that is a positive sign of a healthy and desirable community. The question is whether growth will pay its fair share of the infrastructure improvements needed to support it, or will you?

Families who have lived here for years should not be expected to shoulder the entire financial burden created by new development. That has been gone on far too long in mind here in Simpsonville.  Impact fees will help us ensure that roads, public facilities, and essential services keep pace with population growth.

Some on Council are against these fees.  They say things like, “this is raising taxes”, or “the home owner will actually end up paying this fee”.   That is true, the homeowner may end up paying the fee, but if they don’t, you will.  There is no way around that.  It’s either the developer or it’s you. 

As elected officials, we have a responsibility to plan not only for today’s needs but also for the future. Impact fees are one tool that helps us balance responsible growth with responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

I encourage residents to stay informed, ask questions, and participate in the discussion at our meetings every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month as we consider this important decision for our community.

Aaron Rupe Councilman Simpsonville, Ward 2