Effingham County commissioners are proposing to amend their impact fee ordinance in an effort to kick-start a flagging development and building sector.

Commissioners will hold the first of two public hearings April 19 needed as part of amending the ordinance that, for the time being, could eliminate some impact fees and greatly reduce others for builders.

“We’ve had a lot of discussions over the last several months for ways to encourage or stimulate our local development to help increase our revenue, to help offset our debt service for water and wastewater infrastructure,” said County Administrator David Crawley. “I look at this as an interim step.”

For the complete story, see Tuesday's edition of the Effingham Herald.