Residents have until January 29, 2021, to provide input on the Las Cruces Utilities Water and Wastewater Development Impact Fee allocation options to either continue the current allocation in place or change the related resolution to allow for a different allocation structure. There is no option to discontinue the development impact fee.
Las Cruces Utilities Director Delilah Walsh explains in a presentation, the allocation options and the impacts on builders/developers and property owners.
“The development impact fee helps pay for increased capacity in these utilities to pay for new development,” Walsh explained. “These fees extend and enhance system-wide water flow for fire fighting, improve redundancies in the water system that conserve water, keep costs down, and service availability throughout the service area.”
Currently the builder pays 50 percent for each of water and wastewater impact fees and customers (homeowners) pay 28 percent for water and 20 percent for wastewater. The remaining percentages are paid through the rate base.
“Essentially, we’re seeking input on two options available to us,” Walsh said. “Option one continues the current percentage split. Option two would require that the current resolution allowing the current percentage split to be rescinded and replaced. The new resolution would specify that the builder/developer pay all development impact fees for water and wastewater at the time of the permit, or allocate the impact fees between the homeowner and the builder/developer,” Walsh said.
A presentation explains the full details and requests input, with contact information.
All input should be submitted to clcengage@las-cruces.org by January 29. 2021 so it may be considered.