Case Study

Martin County, Florida
Development Review Fee Study

Martin County, Florida engaged PFM to conduct a fee study of their Development Review fees. PFM was originally contracted to evaluate the total cost of service for Development Review fees across three departments - Growth Management, Engineering, and Emergency Services - Fire Prevention Division. During the study the County increased the contract to cover three additional organizations - County Attorney, Utilities and Solid Waste, as well as the Martin County School District. For this engagement, PFM worked with County, Utility and School District staff to complete an analysis that was substantially data-driven. This included evaluating five years of data from their time keeping (over 100,000 records) and payment systems and developing methods to link the two systems.

Martin County's Development Review fee schedule contained a very complex system of charging fees, including additional payments that were calculated on development size and valuation with only a loose relationship to the cost of service. PFM assisted the County in simplifying their fee schedule and ensuring that all fees reflect the actual cost of services.

In addition to the cost of service analysis, PFM also surveyed 10 similar jurisdictions on their Development Review fees. This resulted in a comprehensive report that compared Martin County Development Review fees to the fee amounts being charged in similar markets.