West Point Proposes Cutting Northwest-Area Sewer Impact Fee From $5,200 to $1,691
West Point has proposed a steep cut to the sewer impact fee charged for new development in its recently annexed northwest area, from $5,200 to $1,691 per equivalent residential connection (ERC). The City Council held a public hearing on the change on Sept. 15 and was scheduled to consider adopting it the same night.
What an impact fee is, and where this one applies
Impact fees are one-time charges on new development that help pay for the public facilities growth requires. According to the city’s Sept. 15 staff report, this fee applies only to the area served by the city’s sewer expansion project, called the Northwest Sanitary Sewer Area, and the money collected can only be spent in that area. Staff said the only impact fees collected there so far came from the Salt Grass development.
Why the fee is dropping
The current $5,200 fee was set in November 2021, before the sewer expansion began and before the city received federal SLFRF grant funding. At that time the city assumed the whole area would be paid for with impact fees. With the project nearing completion, staff said the city now has a much clearer picture of what still needs to be funded through fees. The city’s engineering consultant, Bowen Collins & Associates, calculated the new amount.
State law requires several steps before a city can adopt an impact fee, including a public hearing notice and making the plan and analysis available for review. The city’s hearing notice said the documents were available starting Sept. 1 on the city’s Impact Fees page and at City Hall.
Also on the agenda: a water share
The council was also scheduled to consider buying one-half share of Hooper Irrigation Company water for $20,000. Staff said the water would be set aside for future parks or other city property, and rented out or used in the secondary system until then.
What we don’t know yet
Approved minutes from the Sept. 15 meeting have not been posted, so the final vote is not confirmed. We will update when the official record is available. See our West Point page and news section for more.
Dates, times and details are set by the city and can change. Please confirm on the official city website before you go.
