The Marion County Board of County Commissioners held a public hearing on May 23, 2025, focusing on transportation impact fees. The meeting highlighted the urgency of finalizing these fees before an upcoming deadline related to state legislative actions.

During the session, officials discussed the timeline for submitting the proposed fees to the governor. It was noted that the governor has a limited window to act on the proposals, with seven days to respond if the bills are presented while the legislative session is ongoing. If submitted after the session concludes, the governor would have 14 days to take action. This timeline creates a pressing need for the Board to act swiftly to ensure the fees can be implemented by the target date of October 1.

Commissioners were advised that once a decision is made, a 90-day notice requirement must be fulfilled, which includes public advertisement of the new fees. This means that any changes would not take effect immediately, emphasizing the need for prompt action to meet the October deadline.

The discussion also included a review of the current language regarding the impact fees, specifically a five-year period with a 20-year framework. Additional language was proposed to comply with the Impact Fee Act, which allows for the transfer of credits between districts, a requirement under state law. The Board was encouraged to incorporate this language into the ordinance to ensure compliance.

The meeting underscored the importance of timely decision-making regarding transportation impact fees, which are crucial for funding infrastructure projects in Marion County. The next steps will involve finalizing the proposed changes and ensuring they are submitted to the governor within the necessary timeframe.