TischlerBise is the national leader in developing customized fiscal impact models specific to a jurisdiction’s needs. Each model is developed from the ground up, reflecting the required analyses, user interfaces, and outputs. Our models are interactive, comprehensive, and flexible, with the Client’s choice of functions and interfaces. The “what-if?” nature of each model makes it easy to test a wide range of alternatives.

Unlike other “off-the-shelf” fiscal models, TischlerBise develops computer models specific to each assignment. These models can then be licensed as complete applications for operation and installation at client locations, with various functions and user interface options available, or they can be developed from scratch, specifically for the types of analyses desired by the client.

TischlerBise’s applications are the most successful, comprehensive, and widely used in the country. The various fiscal impact applications developed by the firm are licensed under the name of FISCALS, and are generally developed using a case study-marginal approach. Applications can be developed for analyzing the impact of various growth scenarios, annexations and specific development proposals, as well as various prototype land uses.

Among the features available for fiscal impact applications is the ability to project “lumpy” capital facilities; factoring lag-lead time of construction and useful life; forecasting facility related and non-facility related operating expenses; and the recognition of available capacities. Built-in flexibility allows the user to choose between various cost and revenue projection methodologies.

Other options include the ability to factor the costs and revenues associated with the existing development base, a replacement program for existing infrastructure, tax increment financing and other incentives, and bond capacity. Built-in graphics and printing features are also incorporated.

Common Features of All Our Software

  • Each application is custom designed, based on each client’s objectives, information, and reporting needs.
  • All applications are designed in a spreadsheet environment, without protected cells and formulas.
  • Custom interfaces can be developed using Visual Basic.
  • Applications are interactive, comprehensive, and flexible.
  • Changes can be made quickly and inexpensively.
  • Analyses can be done jurisdiction-wide, or by geographic sub-areas.
  • The “what-if” nature of the systems allows testing of a wide range of alternatives.

Recent Fiscal Software Assignments:

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

 

For Oklahoma City, we developed a fiscal impact model to evaluate future growth scenarios on a citywide basis as well as to review individual development proposals. The model was developed with the ability to reflect cost differences on a geographic basis. For example, because of existing capacity in the park systems, costs to serve new growth are lower in one area of the City.

Horry County, South Carolina

 

Horry County contracted with TischlerBise to develop a software application for evaluating the impact of new development on countywide services and facilities. The model has the capability of reflecting infrastructure capacity by geographic service area for police and fire. The application was developed to represent the particular demographic, infrastructure, and legal characteristics of Horry County, including the fact that the County provides both countywide services (including those for residents of Myrtle Beach, Conway and North Myrtle Beach) as well as services strictly to residents of the unincorporated County (i.e. fire, police, public works).

Chesapeake, Virginia

 

The City of Chesapeake has been a long-time client of TischlerBise. The City was one of the original users of the firm’s highly successful MUNIES system in the late 1980’s. As computer technology evolved, Chesapeake has hired TischlerBise on several occasions to design and develop state-of-the-art fiscal models for use in evaluating specific development proposals. We have completed implementation of the latest City fiscal impact model and have recently been hired for consulting services for the City.

Henrico County, Virginia

 

TischlerBise completed a fiscal impact analysis in conjunction with the development of the Henrico County 2026 Comprehensive Plan. TischlerBise employed a case study-marginal cost approach to evaluate the fiscal impact of various growth scenarios developed through the comprehensive planning process. The analysis evaluated the fiscal impacts by sub-area based on location, density/intensity, and timing of growth. The results were provided to the County as a stand-alone analysis as well as incorporated into the final Comprehensive Plan. In addition, TischlerBise developed and implemented a customized fiscal impact model for use by the County to analyze individual development proposals. The model allows the County to vary land use and financial assumptions to reflect changing conditions.

TischlerBise was subsequently retained by Henrico County to update both of the Fiscal Impact Models developed as part of the previous Fiscal Impact assignment (Countywide Growth scenarios and Development Projects) to reflect current conditions and to assist in analysis of several major mixed use projects being proposed in the County.

Frederick County, Virginia

 

The Winchester-Frederick County Economic Development Commission contracted with TischlerBise to design and implement a development impact model for use by Frederick County, VA. Once selected for this assignment, TischlerBise interacted with a public/private sector working group who reviewed level of service and cost/revenue assumptions and assisted with implementation of the finished model. Since most counties in Virginia are not authorized to collect impact fees, and therefore rely on “voluntary” cash proffers, the output on capital facility impacts provides valuable information for proffer negotiations at the time of rezoning.

Louisville, Colorado

 

Following the completion of our most recent impact fee analysis for the City, TischlerBise was retained to conduct market and economic analysis associated with the City’s update to its Comprehensive Plan. This included a demographic assessment, examination of market opportunities, fiscal health assessment, and modifications to the City’s fiscal impact model (developed by another firm). After this assignment, the City retained TischlerBise to develop a new model to analyze future development projects.

Falls Church, Virginia

 

TischlerBise developed the Fiscal Impact Model used by the City of Falls Church to evaluate new development proposals. TischlerBise developed the first model for the City over a dozen years ago, has conducted several periodic updates in the interim, and has just recently updated the model for 2014. The model is an average cost/case study marginal hybrid fiscal model that is used by the City’s Economic Development Department to test development programs particularly for mixed use projects. Most recently, TischlerBise expanded the model to include a more robust capital module as well as revised methodologies for some revenue categories based on new and better data availability. The City’s fiscal model has the capability to test a wide range of residential and nonresidential land uses, which have been modified and expanded in the recent update, to keep up with the ever-changing types of development being proposed in the City.

Fredrick County, Virginia

 

The Winchester-Frederick County Economic Development Commission contracted with TischlerBise to design and implement a development impact model for use by Frederick County, VA. Once selected for this assignment, TischlerBise interacted with a public/private sector working group who reviewed level of service and cost/revenue assumptions and assisted with implementation of the finished model. Since most counties in Virginia are not authorized to collect impact fees, and therefore rely on “voluntary” cash proffers, the output on capital facility impacts provides valuable information for proffer negotiations at the time of rezoning.