NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – Nassau County’s decision to double impact fees over a four-year period has sparked controversy between local builders, developers, and the state attorney general, while raising concerns about housing affordability in the region.
Some Nassau County builders and developers are pushing back against the county’s planned fee increases, warning the move could price out entry-level homebuyers and affect housing accessibility in the growing community.
“This does not help housing affordability,” said Mathew Meskimen, owner of MCG Homes. “We were caught off guard. They didn’t give us a lot of time to review all the data.”
RELATED: Nassau County responds after Florida AG says county can’t justify big impact fee rate hike
The dispute intensified after Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier issued an opinion challenging the county’s justification for the rate hikes. While the county cited “extraordinary circumstances” including population growth, to justify the increases, Uthmeier disagreed with their reasoning.
In response to the attorney general’s opinion, county officials expanded their justification beyond population growth, pointing to “increasing permitting activity, significant land value increases, and ballooning construction,” to name a few.
The timing of the county’s decision has raised additional questions, particularly in light of Senate Bill 1080, set to take effect July 1. The new law would require a unanimous vote for raising impact fees under extraordinary circumstances and prohibit fee increases exceeding 100% over a four-year period.
News4JAX asked Meskimen about those who say the impact fee rate hike will slow down development. He said development won’t stop, “But it will change who is buying the home,” Meskimen explained.
“As prices go up, it’s going to be the wealthy who’s going to purchase those homes rather than the entry-level people that we’re trying to get,” Meskimen said, adding that since the home would cost more to make, it would also cost more to buy.
In response to the pending fee increases, builders and developers are accelerating current projects to avoid the phased fee hikes scheduled over the next four years.
The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between managing growth in Nassau County and maintaining affordable housing options for residents.