PLACEMENT: Departmental
TITLE:
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FIRST AMENDMENT TO FINANCIAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN MARTIN COUNTY AND THE SOLAR AND ENERGY LOAN FUND OF SAINT LUCIE COUNTY
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
Martin County and the Solar Energy Loan Fund of St. Lucie County (SELF) entered into an Agreement to support home improvements and sustainability financing on March 26, 2019. The County has initiated a “Connect to Protect” Program to replace septic systems with connection to the County’s central sewer system and desires to expand SELF financing to qualified residents to assist in the affordability of Grinder Sewer System installation. Staff has drafted the First Amendment to the Agreement to reflect specific terms related to Grinder Sewer System installations.
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DEPARTMENT: Utilities and Solid Waste
PREPARED BY: Name: Anne Murray
Title: Hydrogeologist / Water Resources Coordinator
REQUESTED BY: Don Donaldson, Deputy County Administrator
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
SELF is a non-profit that provides energy expertise and financing to help property owners identify and make cost-effective home energy improvements. SELF, through its General Financing program and in accordance with its Agreement with Martin County, provides low cost financing for residential homeowners that will generate sustainable building practices, clean energy alternatives, home and climate resilience, aging in place, and local green jobs. Financing may be used for a number of home-improvement projects including water quality loans related to septic to sewer conversions.
In a concerted effort to improve water quality and conservation, Martin County has initiated a “Connect to Protect” septic to sewer conversion program replacing septic systems with connection to the County’s wastewater utility system through the installation of grinder sewer system installations.
Accordingly, staff has drafted the First Amendment to the Agreement between Martin County and SELF adding specific terms to expand SELF lending activities to include a Grinder Sewer System Installation program. SELF will provide financing under this program to at least one hundred (100) and up to two hundred (200) qualified applicants during the term of this Agreement if the County provides internal contributions of $1,000 to qualified applicants of the program. Each financing under this program will be for $7,000 financed over 120 months at $85.00 per month. SELF may provide additional funding to applicants outside of this program, including to cover any remaining costs of connection for the same transaction.
The Board approved the Connect to Protect grinder sewer program in March 2019. This program’s rate structure includes incentives to encourage customers to connect within the first year of a sewer being available. Beginning in Fiscal Year 2019 the Utilities Department has budgeted $200,000 annually for first year connections, which is just one category of the Connect to Protect program. However, this funding can only fund twenty-five (25) customers per year. The proposed SELF Amendment, supported by the existing budget, will be able to serve two hundred (200) customers per year.
If adopted, Martin County will provide financial options and incentives for residents to connect to central sewer.
ISSUES:
None
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
This item has been reviewed for legal sufficiency to determine whether it is consistent with applicable law, has identified and addressed legal risks, and has developed strategies for legal defensibility.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
Move that the Board approve the First Amendment to Financial Services Agreement Between Martin County and The Solar and Energy Loan Fund of St. Lucie County Relating to Financing Sustainability and Other Home Improvements for qualified applicants to Include Terms Related to Grinder Sewer System Installations.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Move that the Board provide direction to staff for revisions to the proposed Amendment.
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
The fiscal impact of this Amendment is the internal contribution of $1,000 to qualified applicants of the financial program by the Utilities & Solid Waste Department. The FY21 budget includes $200,000. No budget amendment is required.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:
☐Budget Transfer / Amendment ☐ Chair Letter ☒Contract / Agreement
☐Grant / Application ☐Notice ☐Ordinance ☐Resolution
☐Other:
This document may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by contacting the County ADA Coordinator (772) 320-3131, the County Administration Office (772) 288-5400, Florida Relay 711, or by completing our accessibility feedback form at www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback <http://www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback>.