Collier Board opposes boosting water and sewer impact fees by 80.5%.

The Collier County Board of Commissioners has recently rejected a proposal to significantly increase water and sewer impact fees in the area. Starting in December 2024, the proposed increase would have increased these fees by more than 80%.

Under the proposed ordinance, the impact fees for single-family homes would have seen substantial increases:
For homes over 1,500 square feet:
Water impact fee: $6,470
Sewer impact fee: $5,614
Total combined fee: $12,084

For homes under 1,500 square feet:
The fee would have been set at 67% of the larger home rate
The proposed increase was met with resistance from the commissioners, who were hesitant to implement such a significant hike in fees. This decision reflects concerns about the potential impact on new homebuyers and development in the area.

Impact fees are typically one-time charges assessed on new developments to help offset the cost of expanding public services and infrastructure to accommodate growth. In Collier County, these fees are collected on applicable building permits.

The commissioners’ reluctance to approve this substantial increase suggests they may be seeking alternative solutions or a more moderate approach to addressing the county’s water and sewer infrastructure needs while balancing the interests of new homebuyers and developers.