Background
Idaho counties are responsible for providing numerous services to the citizens living within their jurisdiction. As population increases within the jurisdiction, the cost of providing those services increases. Those increased costs come from:
- Increased demand
- Expanded area where services need to be provided
- Decreased capacity within the system providing the services
One of the tools the Idaho Legislator has given local communities to offset the increase in cost due to growth related development is Development Impact Fees. Ada County does not currently collect impact fees.
What are Development Impact Fees?
An impact fee is a one time fee that is imposed by a local government on a new or proposed development project to pay for all or a portion of the costs of providing public services to the new development.
Impact Fees in Ada County
Ada County has faced remarkable growth over the last few years. This growth has resulted in budgeting constraints due the increased cost of providing services. Although Ada County may be collecting more property taxes, these taxes barely cover the cost of providing the services. The capital improvements and facilities Ada County utilizes in providing the required and necessary services are either quickly reaching or already exceed capacity. Due to the capacity concerns, The Board of Ada County Commissioners has asked Ada County Development Services to explore the feasibility of implementing a Development Impact Fee ordinance.
To start, Ada County staff did an Initial Feasibility Analysis Report, which is a review of existing services, costs, population growth and “impact fee” eligible services. Eligible services include EMS, Sheriff/Jail, and Parks & Waterways. Now that we have identified some of the needs and opportunities in the county, we are in the process of hiring a consultant to walk us through the project. We will post more information here as we have updates.
Advisory Committee
Ada County has formed a citizen’s advisory committee to assist us in this process. The primary responsibilities of the committee will be to:
- Assist in adopting land use assumptions utilizing data and information available from the Comprehensive Plan, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Ada County Assessor’s Office, COMPASS and other sources;
- Review the capital improvements plan prepared by the consultant as part of the development impact fee ordinance, and any proposed amendments, and file written comments;
- Monitor and evaluate implementation of the capital improvements plan;
- File periodic reports, at least once annually, with respect to the capital improvements plan and report any perceived inequities in implementing the plan or imposing the development impact fees; and
- Advise of the need to update or revise the land use assumptions, capital improvements plan and development impact fees.
Impact Fee Advisory Committee Members
| Name | Appointment Date | Term Expiration Date |
| Nicolette Kimmel | 8/25/2020 | 8/25/2022 |
| Natalie MacLachlan | 1/25/2022 | 8/25/2024 |
| Christopher Findlay | 1/25/2022 | 1/25/2024 |
| Dave Yorgason | 1/25/2022 | 1/25/2025 |
| Gordon Trounson | 4/18/2023 | 4/18/2027 |
| Shelly Buchanan | 11/21/2023 | 11/21/2027 |
Citizen’s Advisory Committee Meetings
These meetings are being held virtually via WebEx video conferencing with limited in person attendance. If you would like to tune in and view the meeting, please contact Leon Letson at [email protected] or 208-287-7950.
Fire Impact Fees
Ada County Development Services recently worked with North Ada County Fire & Rescue, Eagle Fire District, Kuna Rural Fire District and Star Fire Protection District to implement the tools necessary for the Fire Districts to receive Impact fees on new development within their boundaries. Development Services will be collecting these new fees on their behalf upon issuance of a Building Permit.
You can also follow along on our social media for updates to this project!
