Aiken County Council weighs impact fees as one method to make new building projects shoulder costs for government services demanded by a growing population. Representatives from Raftelis, a consulting firm, presented this approach during a work session on Feb. 3.
Impact fees force developers to cover part of the expenses tied to expanding services. Developers shift these expenses onto buyers. The fees can tack thousands of dollars onto a house purchase.
Advocates argue that impact fees stop property tax hikes that would harm longtime residents and business owners. Without the fees, taxes would climb to cover growth-related expenses…