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ORANGE COUNTY BUDGET OFFICE <br />2 <br />Donna Dean, Budget Director <br />208 South Cameron Street, Post Office Box 8181 • Hillsborough, NC • 27278 <br />Phone: 919-245-2151 • Fax: 919-644-3324 <br />E-Mail: ddean@ca.orange.nc.us <br />To: Board of County Commissioners <br />Jahn M. Link, Jr., County Manager <br />From: Donna Dean, Budget Director <br />Subject: Development Related l=ees for School Construction <br />Date: March 22, 2001 <br />At the December retreat, the Board raised concerns about the amount of money <br />that local school districts are required to expend far local review fees and other <br />requirements they plan and construct new schools. It is important to make the <br />distinction between (1) fees that the County, the Towns and OWASA may charge <br />for particular inspections or services and (2) costs for additional requirements to <br />meet particular local ordinances or codes. <br />Most local governments and public utility companies assess user fees to offset <br />costs of providing those services -the majority of which are State mandated. <br />Examples of these fees include plan reviews, use and building permits, and <br />connection or tap fees. In addition, entities may also require that a construction <br />project meet particular local codes or ordinances. Examples of these types of <br />requirements include construction of sidewalks, road improvements, and <br />installation of building sprinkler systems. <br />Fees Assessed for Project Review and Approval <br />I recently contacted representatives from local government entities and OWASA <br />regarding typical fees that potentially could be assessed to a school system <br />during a construction project. I am currently compiling this information and will <br />have it available at the meeting with the School Boards next Wednesday night. <br />Attachment 1 of this memorandum provides, by recent school construction <br />project, the fees that each district has paid to local and State agencies. <br />Additional Requirements to Meet Local Initiatives <br />As stated earlier, in addition to review and permit fees, local, state and federal <br />agencies may require each school system to meet particular requirements or <br />codes. The requirements and costs for these elements vary with each <br />construction project. Both school systems have provided specific examples for <br />recent projects. Examples of local requirements associated with CHCCS Smith <br />Middle School include $23,265 for upgrading existing sewer lines (required by <br />OWASA) and $28,497 for roadway improvements required by NC Department of <br />