Will Granite board seek impact fees?

The Granite Board of Education is weighing whether to jump on the bandwagon and seek school impact fees to help cover the costs of new growth.

The board on Tuesday discussed whether to support seeking the fees, backed by the Bluffdale and West Jordan city councils and the Jordan and Nebo boards of education. The Granite board will vote on the proposal Dec. 12.

The fees would be similar to those cities now assess on new developments to pay for infrastructure like parks and police services, only they would go toward building new schools.

Rep. Steve Mascaro, R-West Jordan, has said he has requested a bill to allow school districts to seek impact fees via a public vote.

The idea is among the top five funding priorities for the Utah School Boards Association, Utah Association of School Business Officials and the Utah School Superintendents Association. But the Utah League of Cities and Towns has concerns about the idea, and the Utah Association of Realtors opposes it.

Granite board members said the fees may boost district coffers and keep property taxes down for current residents, especially in growth areas. But the fees also could burden new homeowners and deter growth, they noted. Board member Sarah Meier suggested supporting the concept but waiting to see the bill.