As development booms in Manatee County, leaders want to start charging builders millions more to pay for issues caused by growth.
At a recent meeting, commissioners reviewed a plan to raise impact fee rates for local development to the maximum allowed by state law. The one-time fees collected from developers help pay for infrastructure like new roads, water and sewer utilities, schools, parks, libraries and emergency services.
Manatee County’s past handling of impact fees has drawn criticism from some residents and officials, who say that developers are not paying their fair share for problems caused by rapid building…