Senoia officials

moved one step closer to an impact fee ordinance Monday night, but not

before a lengthy discussion on how the money should be spent.

Consultant

Bill Ross of Ross and Associates explained the impact fees would be used

for upgrading the city police station, library and recreation activities.

from developers.

In the city's

lengthy Capital Improvements Element report, cost for the new facilities

total $840,756, which include:

Addition to

the library building $154,770.

Addition volumes

at the library $228,561.

Expansion

of the police department $114,625.

Land for future

parks $127,800.

Components

for future parks $215,000.

The costs for

the projects are based on similar costs in other jurisdictions, said Ross.

Once the impact

fee is passed, each developer would pay an additional $1,564 for each

single family home built in the city.

But Councilman

Bill Wood wondered what would happen if after several of the new residents

moved into the city, the city discovered that crime had increased. Could

the city then shift more money towards a police department instead of

a library or park property?

Ross said the

city evaluates the capital improvement element on a yearly basis and would

be able to prioritize items.

He cautioned

that impact fees could only be used for bricks and mortar, and not additional

police officers or vehicles.

The second

hearing on the capital improvement element is set for Sept. 29 at 7 p.m.

at City Hall.