Lake County commissioners will vote on whether to increase the county's school impact fee on Tuesday.
"A one-time fee, and I can see the difference," said Kathy Love, who is considering buying a new home in Minneola. "That's not bad."
Commissioners are considering updating and increasing a school impact fee, money Lake County Schools said would be used to ease overcrowding and growth concerns.
"If I have children in school like I do, grandchildren, and I have a child still in the public school system here, it wouldn't make a difference to me because it's going toward building — giving them the things that they need such as technology, expanding the schools, helping with the overcrowding," Love said.
Right now, school impact fees are charged for all new single-family, multi-family and mobile homes.
The school district wants the max: $9,324.
However, the Capital Facilities Advisory Committee disagrees and is recommending only a $20 increase to $7,739.
Some commissioners are concerned increases could impact the new construction Lake County needs for a growing economy.
However, district leaders pointed out the county is already battling overcrowding and the money for new schools and construction is vital.
Potential homeowners like Love can see why some people looking to retire or move to Lake County without children would want nothing to do with any fees.
"Honestly speaking, I wouldn't want to pay that fee, but still I look at the other families and children who are in need and I would still be for it," Love said.
If approved at 100 percent funding, the school impact fee is projected to raise up to $18 million a year.
Lake County’s school impact fees would be one of the highest in Florida.
Any new increase would be a second hike in just a matter of months.
Last year, commissioners voted to triple the impact fee that took effect in April 2015.
The County Commission meeting and public hearing on school impact fees begins at 9 a.m. at the Lake County Administration Building in Tavares.