By MONROE ROARK
mroark@TheCitizenNews.com

Citing continued questions about plans being proposed by the county for a jail impact fee program, the Tyrone Town Council voted Thursday night to table its discussions of the program until next month.

The county's plan, which was revised after suggestions by the various municipalities, still contains “more questions than answers,” according to Councilman Paul LeTourneau.

Town Manager Barry Amos addressed the council concerning the revised plan and a table received by the town early last week that outlines proposed fees for various non-residential uses. Amos said that after reviewing the latest proposal, he still has some reservations.

“While this program did attempt to address the inequity in the non-residential fees, there are still several concerns and other issues that should be addressed,” said Amos.

The program apparently does not apply impact fees fairly among various non-residential uses, Amos said. Fees are being proposed based on the type of use, and the municipalities have not seen documentation supporting the factors used to weigh each use, he added.

“Using their proposal schedule, it is difficult to envision how a religious organization would create three and one-third times the demand for jail services over a general contractor, bank, or similar users that have a jail demand factor of one,” said Amos.

LeTourneau agreed, adding that he had a problem with a medical office or church being treated as having a higher impact than a financial or real estate office. He also said that he thinks the administrative fee, which is slated to go to the county, should go to the town if the town is actually collecting the money.

It also was pointed out that the fees are proposed to apply based on the size of a facility, with no maximum amount. “To be defensible, it would appear that there should be some definitive rationalization for assumption,” Amos said.

The huge impact fees that would be paid by some companies under the revised plan could make it difficult for the town to attract new businesses, he added.

Since the jail is currently funded in the county budget without impact fees, Amos told the council that if the fees are implemented, their effect on county taxes should be made clear — whether the fees would result in reduced taxes, would help speed up the payoff of the bond or allow property taxes to be used for other areas. “I do not believe this issue has been addressed,” Amos said.

Councilman Raymond Bogenschutz pointed out that the town uses a small percentage of jail space compared to other areas in the county, and its fees should reflect that. “The municipalities pay twice [under this plan],” he said.