TOWN STAFF REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
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Receive presentation, discuss, consider and act to approve Resolution 24-71 approving a Professional Services Agreement with Freese and Nichols for a Water, Wastewater, and Roadway Impact Fee Study in an amount not to exceed $118,000 (Cheryl Taylor, P.E., Director of Public Works)
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STAFF: Cheryl Taylor, P.E., Director of Public Works
BACKGROUND:
A Water, Wastewater and Roadway Impact Fee Study will provide the Town of Westlake an opportunity to consider sharing the cost of future public improvements with development, thereby reducing the burden on existing taxpayers.
DISCUSSION:
As a rapidly growing community, the Town of Westlake has an opportunity to consider the implementation of water, wastewater and roadway impact fees that will allow for development to participate in the cost of necessary future improvements to serve the community. An impact fee is a charge or assessment on new development that generates revenue for funding or recouping the costs of capital improvements or facility expansions attributable to new development. It is a tool that can be used to recoup, from property developers, some of the costs that new development places on City infrastructure. Impact fees ensure that those who place additional demand on the roadway, water, and wastewater systems help pay the costs required to meet that demand.
New residential, commercial or industrial development can significantly increase traffic on roadways, water consumption and wastewater volumes. Impact fees are a one-time charge assessed to new development and redevelopment, calculated in accordance with the methodology outlined in Chapter 395 of the Texas Local Government Code. The fees are based on land use assumptions, expected population growth and corresponding capital improvements and expenditures necessary to support that growth. The water, wastewater, and roadway impact fee study will determine the maximum allowable impact fees that may be charged for water, wastewater and roadway based on the town’s Capital Improvement Program need to serve the Town’s at full build out.
The tasks proposed for the water, wastewater, and roadway impact fee study are as follows:
Task A: Project Management, Kick-off and Data Collection
Task B: Water and Wastewater Impact Fee Analysis
Task C: Roadway Impact Fee Development and Analysis
Task D: Impact Fee Report Development and Meeting Attendance
At the completion of the study, a minimum of two (2) public hearings will be held with a 30-day public notice, leading to the consideration for adoption of an Impact Fee Ordinance that outlines the fees to be assessed and collected a determination of a specific start date. The timeframe for completion of the Water, Wastewater, and Roadway Impact Fee Study is approximately nine (9) months. Project kickoff will be January 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding in the amount of $118,000 for the Water, Wastewater and Roadway Impact Fee Study will be provided from available retained earnings and will be included in a future budget amendment.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of Resolution 24-71 approving the agreement with Freese and Nichols, Inc. for a Water, Wastewater, and Roadway Impact Fee Study in an amount not to exceed $118,000.
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Resolution 24-71
2. Professional Services Agreement with Freese and Nichols, Inc. (FNI) for Impact Fee Study
TOWN COUNCIL ACTION/OPTIONS:
1) Motion to approve
2) Motion to amend with the following stipulations (please state stipulations in motion)
3) Motion to table
4) Motion to deny
3.