Bryan County is taking a tentative step toward implementing impact fees.

Bill Ross with Ross & Associates presented the Bryan County Board of Commissioners a draft impact fee ordinance Tuesday during a regular meeting.

The commission previously forwarded its Capital Improvements Element (CIE) plan to the Coastal Regional Commission for review back in November. The CRC has 60 days to comment on the CIE.

Now, county commissioners will review the proposed impact fee ordinance for further discussion. After recommendations are made and the ordinance tweaked, the county will advertise and hold two public hearings on the draft ordinance before voting whether to adopt it.

Bryan County Administrator Phil Jones said impact fees will help pay for upgrades to infrastructure as new residents and businesses move into the county.

"This ordinance will not impact existing homes," Jones said. "This is only for new construction."

The ordinance lays out a proposed fee schedule for the north and south ends of the county. The recommended fees are generally higher for south Bryan.

"You could have different criteria for different parts of the county," Ross advised commissioners.

The total proposed impact fee for a single-family home in North Bryan would be $2,882.15. The recommended impact fee for a similar home in South Bryan would be $3,575.41.

The suggested impact fee for a general office building in North Bryan would be $2.56 per square foot. The fee for a similar office building in South Bryan would be $3.49 per square foot.

-Read more in the Bryan County News.