KINGMAN – Separate Tuesday approvals have the City of Kingman one link of the chain closer to development impact fees and reducing debt service on its public safety retirement fund. Adoption of conceptual Land Use Assessments and an Infrastructure Improvements Plan puts the city on a path to possibly adopt impact fees in mid-June and implement them in October.
Council member Jamie Scott Stehly said impact fees are currently the most useful mechanism to generate much needed revenue to fund great need in the public safety, street preservation and parks and recreation arenas.
“They were not my first choice They’re not even really my second choice, but it is the only viable option in front of us this year that will help fund our public safety needs starting in 2021,” Stehly said. “I am voting ‘yes’ on this item simply because I support police and fire.”
Two citizens spoke in favor of impact fees as necessary to maintain and improve city services going forward. Building sector professionals who’ve previously opposed the fees did not speak at Tuesday’s meeting.
Council member Deana Nelson apologized to developers for disparaging remarks she made in a March 23 council meeting, saying some were more interested in lining their pockets than doing what’s best for the community. “I was intolerably disrespectful and that is something that deserves an apology and my standing up and saying I’m sorry.”
Nelson called on council members and the development community for leadership in seeking answers to Kingman’s revenue generation needs. “The city needs help. We’re broke,” she said.
Members Keith Walker and Cherish Sammeli dissented in the 5-2 Council vote moving impact fees forward.
A unanimous council vote directs consultants to pursue excise tax revenue bond financing to better cover the city’s $33-million debt to the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System. Council has been told securing interest rates in the low 3% area could save $20-million over time since the city is suffering through a current interest rate of 7.3%.
Dave Hawkins
