OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Commissioners in Osceola County on Monday approved a proposal to raise mobility fees on new construction projects.
By a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Peggy Choudry the only one against the plan, fees will now more than double for new homes.
According to the proposal, the revised mobility fee on a new single-family home will be raised 117%, from $9,999 to $21,710.
County leaders have said the fee increase is needed to address traffic problems that have gotten worse because of rapid growth.
Commissioner Brandon Arrington made a motion to push the implementation date to June 18, 2025, from December 18, 2024. Commissioner Ricky Booth seconded the motion and after a brief break, the county attorney came back with a language change for Sec. 17-41a/b/c/d to say “the implementation date for mobility fee rates applicable to a building permit application filed between December 19, 2024 and May 18, 2025 (setting date specific to when you have to file your building permit application) the implementation date for mobility rates shall be June 18, 2025.”
The county manager said if someone files between the above dates and pick it up by June 18, 2025, they will get the old rates.
Jackie Strandhagen, who lives in Osceola County, said she has concerns about the fee increase being passed on to new homebuyers.
“I just feel bad for people who have saved and saved to buy a piece of land. Saved to build a home and they’re being penalized,” Strandhagen said.
An Osceola County spokesperson released a statement ahead of Monday’s vote:
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