Pico Rivera : Construction Fees Levied

After months of study, the El Rancho Unified School District board has authorized fees on construction in the district, effective Oct. 10. The fees will be the maximum allowed by state law: $1.50 per square foot for residential and 25 cents per square foot on industrial and commercial projects.

No one spoke against the fees at a recent public hearing, according to Assistant Supt. Huey Nolin.

By law, the fees can be used only to build or rehabilitate school facilities or rent temporary facilities. Nolin said El Rancho is the last district in the Whittier area to impose the fees, which were authorized by the state in January.

The district hired consultants to recommend ways for the district to increase its income and upgrade its facilities. They advised the district, in addition to imposing the developers’ fees, to apply for state rehabilitation funds, sell surplus property and ask to be included in city redevelopment plans.

Nolin said the school board will consider the other recommendations in September.