- April 24, 2024
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There appears to be progress on the school district's impact fee impasse.
At the Dec. 14 School Board meeting, Flagler Schools Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt said she had a "very optimistic" two-hour meeting with the Flagler Home Builders Association and the parties will meet again in January to "create some creative options."
Citing extraordinary circumstances, the School Board voted to raise impact fees for the first time in 17 years from $3,600 to $7,175 on single-family homes. But the county commission has to approve the increase. The commission voted Nov. 2 to delay a decision for up to 60 days. The FHBA is one of the major groups that had come out against the large increase.
The School Board would have to approve any agreements before it goes back to the commission.
Meanwhile, the board voted unanimously to renew proportionate share mitigation negotiations. It had voted in September to table the school district's agreement with Colbert Landings subdivision and discontinue negotiations with other developers until the impact fee is decided.
Proportionate share mitigation agreements allow developers to make upfront payments to the district and in return receive impact fee vouchers.
A contract addendum would require developers to pay more if impact fees increase in the next six months.
"Developers may be ready to start the sale, but they’re stuck because we said we need to pause because of uncertainty with the impact fee," Attorney Kristy Gavin told the board.
Patty Bott, the district's coordinator of planning and intergovernmental relations, said negotiations would begin again in January.
The district's request required a two-thirds vote because it was added late to the agenda.
