IMPACT FEES
Investing in Our Schools - Investing in Our Future
Downloadable Impact Fees One-Page Flyer
WHAT ARE IMPACT FEES?
- Impact fees are one-time charges paid by developers when new homes are built.
- Impact fees ensure that growth pays for growth by funding new schools, classrooms, and facilities needed for students from new neighborhoods.
- Impact fees cannot be used for salaries, maintenance, or general operations — only for growth-related capital projects.
WHO CONDUCTS IMPACT FEE STUDY?
- Collier County Government retained an independent consulting firm to update the impact fee study.
WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT?
- Without impact fees, the cost of new schools would fall on existing taxpayers.
- Impact fees keep funding fair by requiring new development to contribute its share toward the schools needed to serve new students.
- Every dollar of impact fees goes directly to building capacity for growth — not to unrelated expenses.
WHO APPROVES IMPACT FEE RATES?
- The Collier County Board of County Commissioners has the authority to establish and amend impact fee rates.
OUR CURRENT SITUATION
- The last time the School Impact Fee rates were updated was 2015. Since then, construction costs have increased dramatically, making it much more expensive to build schools today.
- Nearly all impact fee revenues have already been used to fund recent projects, including:
- Aubrey Rogers High School (opened 2023)
- Bear Creek Elementary (opened 2025)
- Ave Maria Elementary (opening 2026)
- Current balances are limited, and future growth will require additional schools.
LOOKING AHEAD
- The District’s long-range plan includes:
A new Transportation Facility in 2027-28
New elementary, middle, and high schools within the next 5–10 years to accommodate planned growth approved by Collier County Government
- Without an increase, current impact fee collections will not cover the increased cost of school construction.
WHY IS AN INCREASE NEEDED?
- Construction costs have soared since the last update in 2015.
- Future growth is accelerating, and additional schools will be needed.