CRESTVIEW — City officials have not raised the city's water impact fees, despite water consultants Tetra Tech and CH2MHill’s recommendations.
Following Okaloosa County's example, Public Works Director Wayne Steele has another idea: call the fee by another name.
The county has begun referring to its impact fees as "capacity replacement fees." City leaders have said they like the idea.
"I like that terminology," Councilman Shannon Hayes said during Monday’s city council meeting. "Sometimes just changing the wording changes somebody's mindset."
Under the council's direction, Steele will consult with city attorney Jerry Miller about changing the city's fee vocabulary to adopt the county's phraseology.
"'Impact fee' has a bad taste in some people’s mouth, but as utility providers, we have to find a way to sustain our long-term infrastructure,” Steele said. “It is the best option for new development to pay for itself."
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.
Impact
BRIAN HUGHES | News Bulletin
Crestview Public Works Director Wayne Steele, left, assists resident Mack Brooks with a concern about drainage problems on his property. In future, "capacity replacement fees" might fund some city infrastructure improvements.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview City Council to consider renaming impact fees