It remains to be seen when, if ever, the Troup County Commission will impose impact fees to help pay for the cost of new development.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the commission approved an impact fee ordinance effective July 1, 2010, but it will consider the ordinance again during budget discussions starting April 1.

Commissioner Morris Jones, who made the motion, said it will give the commissioners time to look at the economy and how many building permits are being issued. The board always can extend the effective date.

“We just want a 90-day window of review,” Commission Chairman Ricky Wolfe said.

An advisory committee recommended an impact fee of $1,250 for single-family residences, while commercial fees would vary depending on the type of business. The fees would help pay for an estimated $120 million worth of capital improvements over the next 20 years, including increased road capacity, new libraries, and new parks, recreation and public safety facilities.

Also Tuesday, the board appointed commissioners Ken Smith and Richard English to help draft a more stringent ordinance against illegal dumping. The committee will try to have an ordinance for review at the next commission work session Oct. 2.

Wolfe said it appears more and more people are “deciding that instead of disposing of garbage properly, they’ll just lay it on the side of the road.”

“We’re looking at the possibility of people working on the road and picking up garbage” as they have in previous years, County Manager Mike Dobbs said.

Troup Magistrate Court currently starts at a fine of $365, but a lot of counties start at $250 and some as low as $25, said Dobbs and county attorney Jerry Willis.

Smith said fines can take away a family’s ability to buy school clothes and other necessities.

“We could give them the opportunity to paint roll-offs (containers at convenience centers),” he said. “That way we won’t take food off the table, but we’ll make the roll-offs look good.”

Illegal dumping, a misdemeanor, is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and 60 days in jail.

Smith last week suggested the county ask for local legislation in the General Assembly that would authorize putting offenders’ photos in the newspaper, just like repeat DUI offenders.

Also Tuesday, the commission appointed county planner Nancy Seegar to a committee that will coordinate local efforts on conservation and beautification, and pursue grants.

Joel Martin can be reached at jmartin@ lagrangenews. com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 235.