Fees on residential projects began Jan. 1; fees on commercial jobs started Feb. 1. The fees are 52 cents per sf for residential; 22 cents per sf for retail and commercial; nine cents per sf for office; and five cents per sf for industrial. The county uses the money to fund the operations of parks, libraries and the public safety program, but not for capital expenditures in the Sheriff's Department, planning department staffers tell GlobeSt.com. The county had earlier considered using some of the impact fee revenue to fund a new jail.

Reviewed but not voted on was a plan to use a flat impact fee of $1,406 on all new projects except for the jail; and a flat fee of $1,532 that would include the jail project.

Also originally discussed was a 38-cents-per-sf fee for industrial ventures that would not include the jail project; and 51 cents per sf that would fund part of the jail job. Planners tell GlobeSt.com the lowered impact fee schedule, eliminating the jail construction component, is expected to be more favorably accepted by the development community and also will generate more revenue.