Far West adopts new parks impact fee of $6,137 per dwelling after consultant presentation

Far West — The Far West City Council voted July 16 to adopt a revised parks, trails and open‑space impact fee, approving an impact fee analysis and facilities plan that sets the maximum parks fee at $6,137 per dwelling.

Jonathan Considine of Zions Public Finance told the council the fee reflects the city’s current level of service and higher construction and land costs since the city last updated the fee more than a decade ago. "The $6,137 fee, that is the maximum that Far West can charge represents the investment that the city has put into its parks and recreation system, which benefits all its residents," Considine said during the presentation.

The presentation explained that the fee is calculated as a cost‑per‑capita contribution to planned capital projects (including four to five new parks, four new trails and one park enhancement), multiplied by Far West’s average household size. Considine said only capital costs that serve the broader system are eligible; funds cannot be used for ongoing operations.

Council members pressed staff and the consultant on allowed uses, refund risk and the state’s 6‑year spending rule. Council members asked whether the fee could be applied to commercial development (it generally cannot for parks), whether engineering and land acquisition are eligible uses (they can be, if included in the impact‑fee facilities plan), and what happens to unspent funds (state rules can require refunds if funds are not spent or the city cannot justify extensions).

During public comment, resident Camille Cook urged the council to adopt the maximum fee, saying lower fees would shift costs to existing taxpayers: "Adopting a lower impact fee than stated as the maximum ... shifts a portion of that infrastructure cost to us existing residents," she said.

Council member Katie moved to adopt the impact fee analysis and impact fee facilities plan at the maximum fee; the motion was seconded by Council member Bob Blend and passed on a voice vote.

The council and consultant also discussed implementation details, including that impact fees are charged at building permit or development stage (often passed through to buyers or absorbed by developers depending on market), that impact fee funds must generally be spent within six years or be refunded, and that the city can adopt a lower fee than the maximum but would need to identify alternative funding to maintain the current level of service.

Next steps: Staff will post the adopted IFFP and IFA per state reporting requirements and incorporate the fee into development procedures. The council did not amend the maximum fee amount during the July 16 vote.