Resident supports impact fees and zero-based budgeting to protect current taxpayers, urges earlier budget review

Diane Freeland, speaking on behalf of the Greenville County Republican Women and giving an address in Simpsonville, told Greenville County Council she supports impact fees to have new development contribute to infrastructure costs rather than raising taxes on current residents.

"Under an impact fee scenario, some of the development costs will be absorbed by new homeowners over many years through their mortgages," Freeland said during public comment. She acknowledged opponents' concerns that fees could increase the price of new homes but said she would prefer that approach to raising taxes on current county residents.

Freeland also urged the council to begin the fiscal year 2027 budget process earlier and to consider zero-based budgeting, reviewing spending "line by line." She complimented council members who proposed budget amendments and singled out Council member McGaughey's idea to assist pathways to ownership as "excellent." She also referenced a recent Rocket Mortgage program offering a 1% down option as evidence of market options that could support ownership initiatives.

On planning, Freeland said she believes the planning commission currently cannot ask developers about price points, and she urged a change so commissions and staff could better assess whether new subdivisions would provide affordable housing.

No formal motion or ordinance was proposed by Freeland; her remarks were entered into the record as public comment and she provided copies of her statement to the clerk for the public record.