School Facilities Needs Analyses/Fee Justification Studies

Description

As provided by Proposition 1A, School Facilities Needs Analyses are required to levy impact fees in excess of $2.05 per residential square foot. Needs Analyses may be prepared District-wide or for selected high school attendance areas and must be updated annually.

Objective

Ensure that new development pays for its fair share of new school facilities, net of State funding.

Limitations

Increase of fees is subject to the following limitations:

• District (or high school attendance area) must be eligible for State funding
• Must meet one of four criteria (two after 1999): (i) 20 percent of teaching stations are relocatables, (ii) local debt incurred up to a specified level, (iii) specified use of multi-track year round education, or (iv) local bond obtained 50% plus 1 votes during prior four years
• Fee is limited to impact calculated from 50 to 100 percent of State cost allowances (lower limit applies when State funding is available)

Components

Needs Analysis must include the following:

• Facility capacity report (Form SAB 50-02)
• Estimated student generation rates for new housing (detached, attached, or multi-family)
• 5-year projection of residential development
• Multi-year enrollment projections including students from new development (Form SAB 50-01)
• Analysis of surplus property value and other local funding resources
• Statutory fee calculation

Results

With appropriate justification, residential impact fees may be increased above $2.05 per square foot. District can fund nearly 100 percent of facilitites costs by combining fees with State funding.