To gauge the plausibility and effects of imposing one-time impact fees, La Plata County officials will conduct a feasibility study within a month.

The study will likely cost about $8,500, and it will provide the county with a broad view of which fees – whether for transportation, housing or public safety – would be applicable and most effective in La Plata County.

The study is expected to take about one month. Commissioners have discussed impact fees as a potential revenue source for capital projects.

On Wednesday, they discussed the nuts and bolts of a feasibility study and the potential benefits of a subsequent fiscal impact analysis. The latter is a more comprehensive and focused analysis and would cost up to $70,000.

Commissioners agreed the less costly feasibility study is the logical first step.

The analysis would also help address how impact fees might tie in with the county’s comprehensive land-use plan, which is under revision. A subsection of the plan includes housing, which would be directly affected by impact fees.

County Planning Director Damian Peduto supported the idea of eventually conducting the more specified fiscal impact analysis, which could provide direction in crafting county regulations.

“The fiscal impact analysis could answer a lot of questions in how we’re considering how to focus our policy decisions on things like infrastructure, water, roads and capital improvements,” he said.

jpace@durangoherald.com