The City of Shelbyville established a Recreation Impact Fee in 2019 to create a fund that would spur additional parks and recreation development as projected city population numbers rose.
The fee was assessed to each new home being built. In 2019, the initial fee was determined based on a complicated mathematical formula to be $1,005 per new home. That fee rose 3% each year since its inception.
With initial goals for spending the impact fee being met, the city is weighing a new impact fee schedule that will meet new goals.
On Wednesday at the Shelbyville Parks and Recreation Department board meeting, a favorable recommendation was given to a $1,346 impact fee that would be forwarded on to the Shelbyville Common Council.
Once the council approves, the Plan Commission will have a public meeting on the impact fee before the council makes a final vote. The impact fee would go into effect six months after the second vote approves the fee.
The impact fee is based off current cost estimates needed to fund projected future infrastructure, reasonable revenue streams and the forecast for residential building permits being approved.
Shelbyville currently has several subdivisions being built by multiple home developers. The city is projecting 1,644 new residential building permits will be applied for over the next 10 years.
The impact fee can only be used on designated projects. In 2019, those areas of need were identified as softball diamonds, park shelters, multi-use trails and pathways and park/open space areas.
All funds still in the original impact fee account are earmarked to be spent.
The new priorities in 2022 are pickleball courts, indoor basketball courts, park restrooms, community playgrounds, neighborhood playgrounds, trails and pathways, and park/open space areas.
The proposed impact fee of $1,346 is comparable to other communities with impact fees including Avon ($1,227 in 2022), Bargersville ($1,580 in 2021), Danville ($1,117 in 2021), Fishers ($1,667 in 2020), Franklin ($870 in 2016), Greenfield ($1,313 in 2019), Greenwood ($1,590 in 2020) and Noblesville ($2,118 in 2019).
In other news from the parks board meeting, the Meridian Park Family Aquatic Center will be open weekly for two more weeks. The center also will be open Aug. 6-7 and Aug. 13-14 before closing down for the season.
The annual “Doggie Day” at the pool will be Aug. 14 from 4 to 6 p.m.
The Music in the Park series returns Saturday night with Midnight Rider, an Allman Brothers concert experience, performing at Blue River Memorial Park, 725 Lee Boulevard in Shelbyville. There is no admission fee for the concert which starts at 7 p.m.
Food, beer and wine will be available for purchase at the park.
The 24th Annual Shelby Shifters Car Show is Sunday at Kennedy Park, 309 Coffey Lane, in Shelbyville. The car show starts at 8 a.m.
