The Impact Fee Needs Assessment Study Final Report and updated fee schedule shall be provided to the Town per the timeline listed in Section III below.
The report must explicitly demonstrate that the methodology used to calculate the impact fees is in accordance with Rhode Island General Laws Chapter 45-22.4. The report should address the following tasks as necessary to produce defensible fee schedules for each of the applicable public facilities as defined in the State statute.
A. Land Use Assumptions - Review and, if necessary, update annual projections of population, employment, housing, commercial, industrial, and other nonresidential square footage data for at least eight years.
B. Demand Factors and Levels of Service - Review the demand factors that generate the need for new capital facilities. Evaluate existing levels of service.
C. Review Capital Needs and Costs and Allocate to Growth - Review the Town and School Department Capital Improvement Programs and other pertinent information. Identify the capital needs and costs associated with anticipated growth.
D. Determine the Need for and Calculate Credits to be Applied Against Capital Costs - Credits should address potential issues of double payment and dedication of facilities by the developer.
E. Complete Impact Fee Methodology and Calculation - The maximum justifiable fee for each public facility as defined by R.I.G.L. § 45-22.4-1 et seq, must be determined.
F. Prepare Impact Fee Report - The report should, at a minimum, contain the following information:
- Executive Summary
- Detailed description of methodologies used during the study
- Detailed description of all level of service standards and cost factors used and rationale.
- Detailed schedule of all proposed fees for each category of public facility.
- Other information which explains and justifies the recommended fee schedules.
Following the Town’s review of the draft report, the consultant will make mutually agreed upon changes and provide ten (10) bound copies of the final report to the Town. Additionally, the final report will be provided electronically in Microsoft Word or compatible format.
G. Presentations/meetings - The consultant will attend one (1) public meeting before the Town Council to present and explain the analyses and conclusions contained in the report. Additionally, the consultant will meet with or otherwise communicate with town staff as necessary during the course of the project. At a minimum there will be a project kick-off meeting and a meeting with staff to review initial findings prior to completion of the final report.
