The price of new homes could be going up again in Lake County. The Lake County School Board wants to raise fees to the maximum amount to help build new schools.
With more than 42,000 students and several housing developments either under construction or in planning stages, Lake County has to come up with a plan to keep up with growth. They are currently utilizing many portables and leasing new ones.
“This is a wonderful place to live, evidently, and people just keep coming,” School Board Chair Debbie Stivender said.
This week the board voted unanimously to ask for the impact fee charged to builders to be raised to the maximum allowable amount in Lake County of $9,324.
In 2013 that fee was suspended, and went to just over $2,500 last year, before tripling this year.
“It is a sticking point for contractors I do understand that, to add that additional fee on there with the price of a house. But I don’t think it stops people from coming,” Stivender said.
Lake County's Board of County Commissioners will ultimately decide on where to set the fee.
Commission Chair Jimmy Conner equates it to threading a needle. "You want to support schools while trying not to stifle economic growth," he said.
Osceola charges the highest impact fees around Central Florida at just over $8,700. Volusia County the lowest of those with fees at $3,000. Marion County has currently suspended fees. No area district charges the maximum amount they are allowed.
As for the notion of being the first to seek full funding and having the highest fees in the area, Stivender said she sees no alternative.
“Our need is what it is. Like I told you I was not for impact fees, but it is the option that the state has given us without giving us money in another area. It’s something we’ve got to have,” she said.
The housing industry as a whole seems to be booming in Central Florida.
The Orlando Regional Realtor Association announced Wednesday Orlando area home sales set a record last month with more than 3,4000 sales. That figure is up 21 percent compared to last year, but also includes sales of existing homes.