Developers throughout Tehama County could be facing steeper fees. The Tehama County Board of Supervisors is considering raising fees on new developments.
The proposed hike won't just save money, it's designed to improve air quality.
"For every new ton of air emissions resulting from development, we think that dollar amount is appropriate to turn around and reduce one ton elsewhere," says air pollution control officer Alan Abbs.
Tehama County is considered to be non-attainment, meaning air pollution levels exceed the air quality standards for the state.
According to Abbs, the fees would be used to fund projects that would reduce the release of chemicals known to contribute to unhealthy ozone levels and particulate matter.
The charge to developers would be $429 per single family dwelling, $2.97 per square foot of retail space and $322.08 per hotel room.
"I am concerned that if we don't reach attainment, that if we continue on the path of non-attainment we could lose funding that is important to the county," says District 4 Supervisor Bob Williams.
Surprisingly, board members don't seem to be too concerned about the possibility of the higher fees discouraging new developers.
"It has that potential but I'm more concerned that if we create a fee create a tax that we are going to use that money wisely," says Supervisor Williams.
Abbs says despite sending out emails and putting notices in the newspaper he hasn't gotten much of a response either for or against the proposed fee hikes. Only a few people showed up to today's Board of Supervisors meeting to voice an opinion.
Les Wolfe from Gary's Automotive Repair and Towing was one of the few to be at the meeting, "I am fundamentally against adding on to what we already pay, it's just a burden on the business."
For now, nothing has been decided. Board members say they need more time to look into the proposal and how it will work.
The Board of Supervisors will be reconsidering the fee hike at a meeting on October 27th at 10:30 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors' Chambers. The public is invited to the meeting to comment on the issue.
