Osceola County government and the City of St. Cloud government are preparing to adjust mobility fees and fire impact fees under “extraordinary circumstances.” While The Osceola Chamber has not taken an official position at this time, we request more time to conduct a peer review study and we seek our members’ input on this critical matter.
Mobility fees, by definition, are a one-time charge on new development to pay for off-site transportation improvements that are necessitated by that new development. For illustrative purposes, the owners of a new house drives two cars. Those cars will create more traffic on our roads, so developers pay fees to help manage impacts from those two cars. These costs increase the purchase price of the new house because these costs are incorporated into the costs of building that house. The same goes for building a hospital or grocery store – since cars will travel to these places, they help pay mobility fees for the roads that make it possible. Fire impact fees help address current demands and expand fire and emergency medical services for future needs, including building fire stations and buying fire trucks.
The Osceola Chamber’s Growth Management Task Force (GMTF) maintains an interest in this issue because these fees help the government manage impacts from growth, but these fees also increase costs to developers which increases costs to the consumer. On June 3, 2024, at 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm in the county commission chambers, workshops will be held to discuss a recent study requested by the County. Another workshop will be held on June 10, 2024 and these fees will be considered by a vote on July 1, 2024. This is a very fast timeline, especially considering the request for “extraordinary circumstances.”
Normally, the County can increase these fees by a phase-in option which may not increase the fees by more than 50% and may not increase fees more than once every four years. To qualify as “extraordinary circumstances,” which allows the government to increase by any amount they deem appropriate, the government must 1.) show the extraordinary circumstances are supported by a demonstrated need study, 2.) they must hold two publicly noticed workshops dedicated to the extraordinary circumstances necessitating the need to increase fees above phase-in limitations, and 3.) they must adopt the fees by a 2/3 vote of the governing body. A 2/3 vote is four of the five commissioners in Osceola County and four of the five council members in St. Cloud.
Stakeholders within the Chamber’s GMTF seek more time to conduct a peer review study to confirm the findings from the County’s report. While the full list of proposed fees can be found in the studies HERE and HERE, some examples of the proposed changes to mobility fees include: single family home 150% in Osceola County, 224% in St. Cloud; mobile home 255% in Osceola County, 560% in St. Cloud; condo/townhouse/multi-family (apartments) 129% in Osceola County, 256% in St. Cloud. There are some decreases though, like: health/fitness/athletic club -10% in Osceola County, -47% in St. Cloud; and places of worship -8% in Osceola County, -29% in St. Cloud. The range for fire impact fees goes from -50% for hospital/clinic to 176% for hotel/motel.
As “Champions for Business and the Osceola community,” we understand current challenges. Osceola County is growing rapidly and everything is more and more expensive. Our vision is to “lead a prosperous regional economy,” and we will continue to work with all parties to find solutions that help more than hinder our quality of life and the success of our businesses and workforce.
Lil’ Explorers Kissimmee, Inc. is a sister school to the first Lil’ Explorers location in St. Cloud, Florida. Lil’ Explorers has been in business for 20 plus-years and have had the pleasure of interacting with so many different families, providing early childcare for young children, watching young children strive through the world of childcare years and seeing many children move through their elementary years. Having an establishment to provide early childcare for children is very important. Many studies have shown the importance of children attending childcare, and that the experience has a positive impact when a child starts kindergarten. Receiving early childcare from a young age is critical for young children, and Lil’ Explorers strives to make sure that children receive the proper education needs. Health and safety play a huge role as well.
Lil’ Explorers Kissimmee Inc. offers childcare from Monday through Friday, 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. All staff are certified by the state with the required documentation for a childcare center. Lil’ Explorers provides three healthy meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack. The center participates in the Florida Food Program, and menus are certified by the state and posted for parents. Each classroom uses an approved curriculum called Frog Street, which coordinates with the daily schedule. The center also offers family engagement activities throughout the year.
In Osceola County, small businesses are essential to the local economy. That’s why the Osceola Chamber works hard to provide local business owners with useful resources through our membership and local partners. Whether you’re starting a new business or building-up an existing one, these resources lay the groundwork for any entrepreneur to thrive.
Networking is vital to business success. That’s why we invite professionals from across Central Florida to our successful networking events. These events are designed to boost professional growth and small business support:
Business After Hours: These monthly events offer a chance to meet diverse entrepreneurs and leaders. Grow your network and forge new partnerships by connecting with the small business community. Admission is free for Chamber members.
First Fridays: Engage with peers in a relaxed setting to exchange ideas and best practices. Through shared experiences, First Fridays can help enhance your business plans. First Fridays provide guaranteed access in a relaxed setting to other Chamber members and Chamber staff, and also bring business to a local restaurant.
Joining a Coalition connects you with business leaders who have faced similar challenges. We host seven unique Coalitions, each catering to specific groups and ensuring your needs are fully represented.
Open to members and nonmembers, these free meetings provide a wealth of learning opportunities, as well as an extensive support network for business owners. Through continuous support and dialogue with one another, Coalitions foster awareness and trust throughout the community.
Prospera is a nonprofit organization that supports Hispanic entrepreneurs in Osceola County. By offering resources such as business seminars, one-on-one consulting, networking events, and more, Prospera empowers Hispanic entrepreneurs in the community. These services help business owners gain essential skills and build valuable connections. Consultations and seminars are held in Spanish so Hispanic business owners can learn how to start, operate, and grow their businesses.
Prospera’s initiatives strengthen the local economy by fostering innovation, job creation, and economic growth, making it a valuable resource for Hispanic entrepreneurs aiming to start or expand their businesses. With their office located in The Chamber, business owners are welcome to request a free consultation with a Prospera Business Development Consultant.
Located inside the Osceola Chamber, the Small Business Development Center offers valuable business training and advice for entrepreneurs. It offers consultations with experienced business advisors to help you achieve your long-term goals. SBDC also hosts educational events that teach everything from basic business skills to advanced management techniques.
The SBDC actively partners with the Florida SBDC Network and the University of Central Florida. This allows the SBDC access to a wide range of research tools and databases. These resources, combined with expert advice, help business owners turn data into practical business strategies.
All business consultations, workshops, and data are available at no cost. Additionally, business owners can connect with representatives across eight counties in Central Florida. This ensures they receive the best advice tailored to their specific market needs.
The UCF Business Incubator is a great help for technology startups and innovative enterprises. This program gives businesses access to important resources like office space, tech tools, and connections to industry experts. The program also provides mentorship and connects businesses with potential investors, which greatly supports business growth and innovation.
It has several individual programs designed to assist businesses at different stages of development. The Traction program helps new businesses create strategies to enter the market through business coaching. For businesses that are already up and running, the Growth Program helps them expand their operations. Located in Downtown Kissimmee, the UCF Business Incubator is a great resource for small businesses.
The Osceola Library System supports local entrepreneurs by providing a rich array of business resources. These include access to specialized books, magazines, and online resources. Business owners also have access to free databases for market research, competitive analysis, and career development.
The Library System has free educational events and programs every month to help entrepreneurs acquire practical skills. Additionally, it offers workspaces and meeting rooms equipped with modern technology. These services are designed to help local businesses thrive by minimizing costs and enhancing efficiency.
At The Osceola Chamber, we have connected hundreds of businesses with essential tools and opportunities needed for success. We seek to empower all entrepreneurs to meet and surpass their goals. Our dedication to supporting a thriving business community motivates us to constantly provide innovative solutions to meet the varied needs of our members.
