Albuquerque Impact Fees Vary Based On Location

There are several parts to the fess and they vary across the new and old parts of the city. Ultimately, the fees should be aligned with longer-range infrastructure and public service plans.

Challenges made by opponents at every meeting are that outlying countiesand towns charge low impact fees, and no one charges fees for schools.Clearly, it is not a complete or regional solution. By one estimate 10 years ago, the city faces a $1.2B backlog of unfunded capital needs that these fees will only begin to address. At least the backlog may not continue to grow faster than inflation or population growth combined.

So the key arguments against fees are that these new charges are not fairand they are anti-competitive for the city against sprawl beyond its boundaries.

Two city councilors have even purchased a full-page ad in the Albuquerque Journal to explainthe fees and the reasons for them -- in the west side of the Rio Grande where they will be the highest. [Thanks to John Hooker for summarizing the issue.]

The City of Albuquerque has published the adopted ordinances, a map showing the fees in various areas of the city, revised consultant reports and a press release about the fees.