OKEECHOBEE – Okeechobee County is growing and that means more money is needed for infrastructure like roads and schools to keep up with increases in population.

On Jan. 8, 2026 the Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing at 11 a.m. about a proposed ordinance to implement impact fees.

In February 2025, the county entered into a contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates to conduct an Impact Fee Study. The Jan. 8 public hearing will review the study and fee schedule.

In accordance with the Florida Impact Fee Act, Okeechobee County is developing  an Impact Fee Ordinance to ensure new growth contributes its fair share toward the cost of public infrastructure required to support that growth.

The revenue from impact fees will be allocated to fund improvements in:

n  Parks and recreation,

n  Public facilities,

n  Public schools,

n  Corrections/jail,

n  Law enforcement,

n  Fire/EMS, and

n  Transportation.

The fees will be assessed on new development. A single countywide impact fee district is proposed for Okeechobee County. The county will share the impact fees with the City of Okeechobee and the Okeechobee County School District.

“I was here when we had impact fees before. We know now we need that based on what we have coming to us,” said Commissioner Terry Burroughs. “Also we will need anything we can to generate revenue.”

“Coastal counties that have impact fees are growing by leaps and bounds,” said Commission Chairman David Hazellief.

The Okeechobee County Impact Fee Study, published Dec. 9, 2025 is online in the agenda packet for the Dec. 18 meeting of the Okeechobee County Commission. Go online  to  https://www.okeechobeecoiuntyfl.gov and click on “Meeting Agendas and Minutes.”