Both the public and catholic school boards in Simcoe County appear to be in a no-win situation as they figure out how to apply an increase in education development charges.
EDC's are used to purchase land for new school sites.
A consultant presented a report to the boards this week regarding area-specific development charges, where the highest fee would be charged to developers in the south end of the County where there is more growth than in the north end.
The boards asked for the report after they deferred a decision in the spring that recommended everyone pay the same charges.
Jodi Lloyd, vice-chair of the Simcoe County District School Board, says it's a very challenging process because while there is growth in the south part of the County, it doesn't apply to every municipality there.
Oro-Medonte and Springwater are unhappy the report lumped them into the south region, arguing Barrie and south of the city is where there is the most development.
If the boards decide to charge the same fee County-wide, EDC's wlll climb from just under $1,800 to over $5,000 for new home construction.
Area-specific charges would see developers in the south region pay $4,000 more than their counterparts in the north.
Llloyd says developers usually download the cost of EDC's to the home purchaser.
She says what people need to remember is that the only mechanism school board's have to generate funds to purchase land for new school sites are through EDC's because the cash doesn't come from the Ministry.
The boards will meet again October 25th to vote on the EDC bylaw, provided the province has approved the boards' education development charges background study.
PROPOSED NORTH REGION: Orillia, Tiny, Tay, Penetanguishene, Midland, Ramara, Clearview, Collingwood, Severn, Wasaga Beach
PROPOSED SOUTH REGION: Oro-Medonte, Springwater, Barrie, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Innisfil, Essa, New Tecumseth, Adjala-Tosorontio
