Pico Rivera : Builder Fees Recommended

A consultant retained by the board of the El Rancho Unified School District to study the issue of developers fees has recommended that the district impose the fees and take other measures to help pay for $14 million in needed major repairs to aging school buildings.

The Legislature’s School Facilities Act of 1986 authorized local school districts to impose fees of up to $1.50 per square foot on residential construction and 25 cents per square foot on industrial and commercial construction. Fees on residential construction alone would provide the El Rancho district with $350,000 a year, consultant Donald M. Wickert said.

The board will hear Wickert’s final report at its next meeting. Wickert said other recommendations will be that the district apply for a state program that could produce $6 million to $10 million for building rehabilitation and that the district develop unused property.