The Goal of the Fiscal Impact Analysis Model is to make fiscal impact analysis a routine part of land use planning.

The development of the Fiscal Impact Analysis Model (FIAM) was sponsored by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) under contract with Fishkind & Associates, Inc. FIAM estimates the costs and revenues associated with land use decisions using a modified per capita approach. FIAM is designed for use by local governments with land use responsibilities, primarily cities and counties. In addition, FIAM also estimates costs and revenue impacts of local land use decisions on local school districts.

How can Local Governments benefit from using FIAM?

• FIAM can assist in directing / developing a more market-based system for land-use decision making
  
  
• FIAM can be used to improve capital cost projections
  
  
• FIAM can reinforce Comprehensive Plan Goals and Community Vision
  
  
• FIAM can measure the financial feasibility of :
  
  
  • The Comprehensive Plan and amendments
    
  • Changes to Future Land Use Maps
    
  • Sector Plans or Special Area Plans
    
  • Large Annexations
    

  Successful implementation of the FIAM model requires a strong commitment to training, certification and disclosure. It is simply not enough to provide functioning, fully calibrated models to local governments and expect them to generate quality results without training. The model is a powerful tool, and like any power tool, training on how and when to use it, as well as what it can and cannot do, is a prerequisite for meaningful outcomes.