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that may exist in student generation rates between housing types, which is a planned element <br />of the study. <br />The basis far changes to an existing program of school impact fees necessitates an objective, <br />professional and legally defensible report. A request for proposals (RFP) to conduct a study of <br />Student Generation Rates and Impact Fees based on requirements established by the Planning <br />and Purchasing Departments was circulated in early December 1999. Twenty two firms were <br />solicited, with two responses received on January 7, 2000. The proposal costs cited in the <br />responses ranged from $59,200 to $76,660. Tischler and Associates, a firm with the requisite <br />expertise as outlined in their proposal and with national experience in similar public sector <br />impact fee analysis, submitted the lowest proposal. The Planning Director has negotiated with <br />Tischler in an effort to reduce the overall cost of the work. <br />Tischler has agreed to reduce the cost to at least $53,400, with additional reduction possible if <br />the County can: <br />^ Reduce the amount of time Tischler would need far data collection by collaborating with <br />the schools to obtain additional information; and/ar <br />^ Provide additional analysis of the data in-house; and/or <br />^ Agree upon a modified training schedule for staff. <br />The Board may decide to develop a differentiated rate of impact fees based on housing type <br />from information from the studies. Tischler anticipates completion of the studies within 90 days <br />of execution of a contract, as outlined in the time chart on the last page of the proposal. Based <br />on this timeline, any amendments to the impact fee would be scheduled for the August 28, 2000 <br />quarterly public hearing. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: The cost of the studies is not to exceed $53,400. The price is affected <br />by the need to conduct a separate analysis for each school district, since information such as <br />student generation rates and housing values are likely to be different in the two districts. <br />Budgeted funding for the anticipated studies in FY 1999-2000 was proposed at $46,000. At the <br />June 15, 1999 budget work session, the Board agreed to reduce the amount budgeted for these <br />studies to $23,000, citing the intention to make an appropriation from contingency if the Board <br />should decide to proceed with the studies and additional funds should prove necessary. There <br />are adequate unallocated funds remaining in the Commissioners' contingency account to cover <br />the remaining balance of $30,400 for these studies. The Triangle Apartment Association <br />previously expressed a willingness to contribute an unspecified amount to obtain an objective <br />analysis of student generation rates by housing type. If the Association is still willing to <br />contribute with no pre-conditions as to action the BOCC will or will not take based on the <br />studies' results, there is potential for the Contingency appropriation to be reduced by the <br />amount of that contribution, if the BOCC wishes to accept the Triangle Apartment Association's <br />participation in funding the studies. <br />RECOMMEN©ATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board Award the proposal to <br />Tischler and Associates in an amount not to exceed $53,400; appropriate $30,400 from the <br />Contingency account; and authorize the Manager to sign an agreement incorparafiing <br />substantially the same terms as the attached proposal, subject to final review by staff and the <br />County Attorney. <br />