Plumas County officials were surprised to learn of new development fees that could pose a significant threat to the county’s growth and economy. During the supervisor’s meeting, a Plumas Unified School District public hearing that appeared to have slipped under their radar led to the approval by the school board, imposing thousands of dollars in school impact fees on developers. These fees require any new building permits to pass through the school board before approval, with developers needing to pay between $10,000 and $15,000 before their permits can be issued.
The new fees will include a charge of $5.17 per square foot for residential projects. Rebuilds will be exempt if they remain within the same square footage, but any additional square footage will incur the full fee. Commercial and industrial developments will face a charge of $0.84 per square foot.
This decision has raised concerns among county leaders about the potential effects on the area’s future. Imposing such substantial costs on developers could hinder Plumas County’s efforts to attract new development and rejuvenate its economy.
Clint Koble, Small Business Association representative for Plumas County, voiced his concerns, stating, “It’s going to be a very heavy lift.”
Tracy Ferguson, the county’s planning director, questioned the study that justified the fees, noting that the “realistic potential” for the projected growth isn’t there.
Yet the Former Superintendent of the PUSD, William Roderick during the September 11th school board meeting, sees it differently. They are projecting the addition of over 200 students in the coming years, justifying the need for such funding.
The County overall has been experiencing a declining population, with factors like wildfires and an aging demographic reducing their numbers. Koble presented data from the Plumas Unified School District, which revealed a drop of over 1,300 students since 2000—an average loss of 57 students annually. Supervisors questioned how the county, which once supported a larger population, now struggles to accommodate these students.
The school board did note that yearly updates will be received on the amount collected from these fees, with the option to suspend them if they are deemed detrimental to the county’s expansion. On the other hand, the fee structure will get reassessed every four years when the state reestablishes its limits, allowing the school board to consider raising or decreasing the fees.
The Board of Supervisors has asked county counsel to research the school impact fee resolution and what actions the board may have going forward. Planning Director Tracy Ferguson will establish a meeting between the county, City or Portola, and the PCSD and Office of Ed to discuss the matter further around October 23rd.
The fees are expected to take effect starting November 10th.
