Models such as FIELD stand on the shoulders of those who pioneered and advanced the art of fiscal impact modeling through the years. Foremost among this group is Dr. Robert Burchell who has largely defined the discipline, and generously found time to share his knowledge with us, provide a valuable critique, and offer encouragement in a daunting task.

The vision for creating FIELD in a dynamic simulation software environment (rather than a spreadsheet) owes a great debt to Dr. Leonard Simutis for his encouragement and support integrating computer technologies into Virginia Tech's planning curriculum. Exposure to DYNAMO in the early 1980s during graduate work at Virginia Tech led to seeking out Powersim as a modeling tool.

Designing FIELD from the ground up was facilitated by access and experience with one of the nation's leading commercial models, FISCALS (by TischlerBise), and with FIAM (developed for use throughout Florida by Fishkind & Associates).

A key contribution to FIELD's design came after reconnecting with an early mentor in the planning field. Roger Dahlstrom shared fiscal impact studies he led in northern Illinois in which costs were linked, in part, to the acreage consumed by alternative land uses, thereby providing a method to capture the importance of density and compactness.

Significant help with all phases of the project arrived in the summer of 2005, via Virginia Tech, as quick-study Sandeep Gangar worked first as a summer intern, and the following year as a Community Planner I.

A long-term project, as complex as, creating FIELD draws upon the general goodwill and expertise of staff from throughout the Planning Commission. In particular, the support of Team Leader Shawn College and the vision of Executive Director Robert B. Hunter were critical to the project’s success.

In addition, assistance from Hillsborough County, the cities of Plant City, Tampa and Temple Terrace, and the Hillsborough County School Board were, and are, critical to creating a credible and useful model.

Thanks,
Paul R. Flora, AICP
Fiscal Analyst
cv and bio

Updated: January 2007