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Significant Impact Fees Collected to Provide for Expanded County Services
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Significant Impact Fees Collected to Provide for Expanded County Services
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Edwina Benites, County Administrator
Phone: 304-728-3284
Email: ebenites@jeffersoncountywv.org
CHARLES TOWN, WV (November 7, 2025) – The Jefferson County Commission Impact Fee Office provided an update on impact fees collected in calendar year 2025 and outlined how these funds may be used to support growth-related capital needs across eligible asset classes.
“Impact fees are a vital tool for ensuring that new development helps pay for the additional public facilities it requires,” said Commission President Pasha Majdi. “Today’s update is part of our commitment to transparency and responsible stewardship of these funds.”
What are impact fees?
Impact fees are one-time charges assessed on new development to help fund the capital infrastructure necessary to serve additional residents and businesses. These fees are restricted by law and County policy to specific purposes. Impact fees cannot be used for replacement projects or operating expenditures, such as salaries, benefits, or maintenance costs.
2025 collections snapshot
Total impact fees collected (July 1, 2025- October 31, 2025): $2,394,721.37
Collections by category:
Emergency Services: $175,732.01
Law Enforcement: $48,434.05
Parks & Recreation: $592,720.96
County Administration: $209,707.53
Schools: $1,960,847.78
The Office of Impact Fees was before the Jefferson County Commission to request an amendment to the Administrative Impact Fee Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The amendment included the addition of the second building purchased by the Commission (330 N. George Street)—the future home of the Judicial Complex.
While funds were initially reserved to meet the first year’s bond payments, impact fees collected in just six months have generated nearly the entire amount needed for the December payment, leaving only $14,000 to be drawn from long-term savings. The second bond payment, scheduled for July 2026, is also expected to be largely offset by impact fees collected over the next six months.
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