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Land Developer Protests School Fees
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Calling it "double dipping," an attorney for land developers told local school district trustees they are not allowed to levy an increased fee on land developers in addition to the Mello Roos tax already imposed on home owners.

Attorney George Petrolakis, acting for JKB Homes and its Sterling Ridge development, said the law is clear and the Riverbank Unified School District must credit the Mello Roos tax when assessing a school facilities fee on land developers.

While saying they will reply to the letter that Petrolakis delivered in person on Sept. 4, trustees went ahead and adopted alternative school facilities fees/level 2 of $4.78 per square foot of assessable space for new residential construction.

The current fee is $4.56 per square foot. But the most recent school facilities needs analysis made by Jack Schreder and Associates has determined the district is justified in adopting a slightly higher amount.

The statutory school facility fee that all districts are allowed to levy is only $2.63 per square foot but a district can increase this amount by preparing a needs analysis, which proves overcrowding and the need for more school facilities.