Farmington approves rise in impact fees

FARMINGTON (Davis County Clipper) — Farmington City council members approved raising impact fees Tuesday night to help pay for a new fire truck and equipment, as well as well line repairs and an increase in the costs of water meters with a 3-1 vote and one absentee.

The fire, water, and parks capital facilities lists were each amended with costs going up from the fire and water purchases. Farmington City manager Max Forbush said the load for the city’s new platform fire truck and equipment would stretch out over about 15 years. He said that equipment would be bought over time.

“The city needs a ladder truck as our buildings get taller,” said Forbush.

The changes mainly affect non-residential development, but city council members were uneasy about the way the fee schedule is currently set up.

“I don’t think the fee schedule is fair,” said city council member Jim Talbot, who gave the one nay vote to the issue. “I’m not in opposition to protecting Farmington, and I’m not in opposition to the apparatus.”

Aside from the new truck, Farmington City is also beginning to plan for a second station in west Farmington. The loan would help the city buy land, but no more than that. The building itself will be paid for via other funds in the future.

Talbot gave the example that apartment buildings are typically three stories high and would need the ladder truck more than commercial buildings in the event of a fire, yet the commercial areas are the ones affected by the rise.
 

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