Lexington County Council plans a $9 million public safety center near Gilbert.

To pay for it, the council is considering a new home and business building impact fee.

Backers hope revenue from the tax will cover the cost and other public safety improvements.

How much the fee will add to the price of a new home or business has not yet been decided.

It would be applied only to new buildings in unincorporated areas.

County consultant Carson Bise estimated it would add a few dollars a month to mortgage payments.

Earl McLeod of the Columbia Builders Association said, “Home buyers pay impact fees in the form of higher prices for new homes.

“Our position generally is that we don’t oppose impact fees that comply with the state legislation.

“We are waiting to see the final recommendation by the consultant.”

County Administrator Joe Mergo cautioned that the fee may not produce as much as hoped.

New developments and buildings are often annexed into municipalities to get water and sewer service.

That would take them out of the county’s unincorporated areas.

The center would be built between Gilbert and Batesburg-Leesville on US 1.

The area is projected to grow fast over the next 30 years.

The center would bring the western county’s deputies, firefighters, EMTs and magistrates under one roof.

Councilman Todd Cullum proposed borrowing the money or saving for the project which would delay building it.