You might have heard about the park impact fee under consideration by the Plainfield Town Council. Here’s a closer look:

The proposed $850 fee is designed to help the Town’s parks and recreation facilities keep pace with growth-related improvement and expansion needs.

It will affect only those persons building new homes in Plainfield. "This fee will not affect current residents of existing homes," says Town Manager Rich Carlucci." He explains that the fee "is designed to make sure those persons contributing to our growth also contribute their fair share toward the parks and recreation system our current residents have supported for years."

First approved by the State of Indiana in 1991, impact fees have become increasingly popular as a means for local governments to raise funds without necessarily raising taxes.

If enacted, Plainfield’s proposed fee would be considerably less than many other central Indiana communities and $173 less than the amount allowed under a standard formula.

• The proposed $850 park impact fee will not affect current homeowners
• The fee will be considerably less than many surrounding communities and less than the standard amount allowed by law
• Funds raised are anticipated to total about $400,000 each year; they will be used only for expanding and improving the Town’s parks and recreation facilities
• The proposed fee will be voted on by the Town Council in July for implementation on January 1, 2008

The Parks Impact Fee Committee, which included independent consultants and home builders, studied the issue and recommended the fee amount, which is expected to raise some $400,000 annually. According to Plainfield Parks Director Clay Chafin, funds raised through the impact fee will go toward expansion and improvement of town parks, greenways and recreational facilities; they will not be used for opera­tions or maintenance expenses.

The proposed ordinance authorizing implementation of the park impact fee will have its second reading and be voted upon at the Plainfield Town Council’s July meeting. If approved, beginning January 1, 2008, all persons building a new home in the Town of Plainfield will be assessed the fee upon application for a building permit.

Here’s how Plainfield’s proposed park impact fee compares to those approved and implemented in other nearby communities:

The Town of Plainfield recently distributed more than 100 free lunches in Franklin Park as part of the summer “Lunch Bunch” program, which helps feed children who might otherwise go without. The Town partnered with several local businesses to help make this program a success:

• Aldi
• Marsh
• Subway
• Target
• Wal-Mart

The 2007 Independence Day celebration will be held Wednesday, July 4 at Hummel Park. The event, co-sponsored by the Town of Plainfield and Guilford Township, will feature fireworks at 10:00 p.m.