ACHD Commissioners Adopt Impact Fee &
Capital Improvements Plan Update

ADA COUNTY — The Ada County Highway District Board of Commissioners has approved the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) and Impact Fee Update.

Commissioners voted 4–1 to adopt Ordinance 254, following a public hearing at Wednesday’s regular board meeting. The revised Capital Improvements Plan and impact fee schedule raise impact fees for development while maintaining a single service area model.

The ordinance establishes new impact fees of $5,803 for a single-family home, $2,371 per unit for multi-family housing, $7,363 per 1,000 square feet of office space, and $12,082 per 1,000 square feet of shopping center space. Under the single service area model, fees collected from new development throughout the county can be allocated county-wide to help fund eligible infrastructure projects.

Impact fees are collected from new development to help fund transportation improvements identified in the CIP, ensuring needed infrastructure keeps pace with growth. Impact fees are calculated based on a formula that accounts for several factors, including peak-hour trip rates, average trip length, and the cost of vehicle miles traveled. The CIP provides the basis for ACHD’s Impact Fee program.

ACHD is required to update its Impact Fee program at least every five years, consistent with the Idaho Development Impact Fee Act. ACHD’s impact fee rates were last updated in 2022.

The CIP identifies future transportation projects, such as major roads, intersections, and bridges, and estimates growth-related costs over a 20-year horizon. The newly adopted CIP identifies $1.2 billion in impact fee-eligible projects.

“The impact fee update reflects our commitment to ensuring growth pays for itself,” said Miranda Gold, ACHD Commission President. “The updates ensure we can keep pace with demand and continue delivering the transportation improvements our communities need.”

Commissioners considered two draft ordinances consistent with the Idaho Development Impact Fee Act and updated following extensive public outreach. Draft Ordinance 254 reflected a single service area model, and draft Ordinance 254A reflected a two-service area model. After deliberation, the Board chose to maintain the single service area model, which has been in place since 2012.

ACHD has been working on updating its Impact Fee Ordinance and Capital Improvements Plan since late 2023. The District considered feedback from residents, partners, developers, and advisory committees through surveys, letters, meetings, and public testimony.

“I want to thank everyone who took the time to participate and give feedback during this exhaustive process,” added President Gold. “Public involvement strengthens these decisions, and we encourage residents to stay engaged and continue to be active in ACHD’s planning processes.”

The changes to the impact fee schedule are expected to take effect March 1, 2026. Members of the public can view the impact fee and Capital Improvements Plan updates on ACHD's website.

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