A San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury investigation found local school districts have misused and improperly accounted for funds raised from developer fees. [Cal Coast Times]
Developers who build or enlarge residential, commercial or industrial buildings are assessed fees when it is anticipated the construction will have an enrollment impact on a school. Revenue generated from the fees must go toward the construction or reconstruction of school facilities needed to accommodate the increased enrollment that the new development could generate.
But, a grand jury report released this week said local schools districts have spent developer fees on a wide variety of expenditures, including office expansion, restroom modernization, kindergarten playground equipment, electrical work, an aerial survey, ceiling fans, an auto lift, painting classrooms, a water filter delivery system, upgrading a girls’ locker room and resurfacing a basketball court. State rules specify the developer fees cannot be used for general fund expenditures such as regular or deferred maintenance or routine repairs.
Likewise, local districts have failed to comply with multiple accounting rules. The grand jury found districts’ accounting of the developer fees to be inadequate and not reasonably accessible to the public. At least one district also failed to keep the fees in a separate account and not commingle them with other funds, as required by law.
Furthermore, local districts have failed to provide written notice required by law informing developers of their right to protest the fees. This may extend the period in which a developer can file a lawsuit challenging a fee and could expose school districts to potential liability, according to the grand jury report.
The grand jury is recommending local school districts abide by developer fee regulations in the future.
June 6, 2019
Cal Coast News
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