The developers of new structures in Sumner may now pay the required impact fees nearer the final inspection instead of the time of the building permit being issued.

At the Jan. 18 regular city council meeting, the change was unanimously approved.

Development charges mitigate the impact a site has on infrastructure.

Representatives from the local building industry pointed out that under the old system, projects had to pay significant interest on the financing for these fees before they could hope to recoup any costs by being operational.

Now a business or organization can pay $250 up front and the amount is credited toward the final payment for the project.

“We need to do what we can to protect and encourage good jobs for our citizens,” said Mayor Dave Enslow. “This program makes sense: it still protects the city’s resources while it also helps new businesses from having to go so far into the hole financially before they can even be up and running. The old system was similar to requiring families to pay interest on their mortgage a whole year before they could move into their home.”