PLACEMENT: Departmental
TITLE:
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UPDATE ON SEPTIC TO SEWER PROGRAM AND CLARIFICATION ON COMMISSION DIRECTION
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
At the November 12, 2019 Board of County Commissioners’ meeting, Commissioner Smith requested staff to prepare an agenda item for the next available meeting to discuss the Septic to Sewer Program. The purpose of the item was to provide a summary of the program, including a historic review of previous Board direction, and secure consensus for the structure of the current program. Staff will provide a timeline of the relevant details decided at each juncture.
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DEPARTMENT: Utilities and Solid Waste
PREPARED BY: Name: Sam Amerson, P.E.
Title: Utilities and Solid Waste Director
REQUESTED BY: Commissioner Smith
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
The Board of County Commissioners has requested an update on the Martin County Utilities Septic to Sewer Program. Below is a chronology of the major highlights of Board items for the Septic to Sewer Program:
• November 3, 2015 - A complete analysis of the options available for sewer conversion projects was presented to the Board. The lowest cost option for the 24 projects totaled $138M and the average cost per parcel estimate was $15,151 in 2015.
• December 11, 2018 - The Board approved the Large Sewer Program (projects to serve 300 or more residences) that established a $12,000 ceiling per single family residential assessment for the sewer infrastructure.
• January 29, 2019 - The Board approved the allocation in FY 19 of $4.0M toward the County’s septic to sewer program from the Franchise Fee, Utility Revenues, and County General Revenue.
• March 26, 2019 - The Board approved the “Connect to Protect” Grinder Sewer Program and the associated fees for projects that serve 300 or fewer residences. Those fees are:
§ $7K for new construction
§ $8K for replacement of existing septic system. This fee is available for 1 year after installation of the infrastructure.
§ $10K after the 1 year grace period
§ $11.4K for option of payment plan
• The Board approved the FY 20 Martin County Utilities Capital Improvement Plan which includes the following projects:
§ Golden Gate Septic to Sewer construction funding in FY 20
§ Old Palm City Septic to Sewer and Water Extensions construction funding in FY 21
§ Port Salerno / New Monrovia Septic to Sewer and Water Main Extensions design funding in FY 20 and construction funding in FY 22
§ Large Septic to Sewer Vacuum Systems survey/design/construction funding for FY 22 - FY 29
§ Connect to Protect Force Main System funding of $350,000 per year for FY 20 - FY 29
§ Connect to Protect Grinder System Installation funding of $200,000 per year for FY 20 - FY 29
• July 29, 2019 - North River Shores Phase II was released for sewer connection and each single family unit was assessed $11,708.
§ November 2019 - FDEP permits have been received and the State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan Application has been submitted for the Golden Gate Septic to Sewer Project. The Golden Gate Septic to Sewer Project is currently estimated to be bid in January 2020.
ISSUES:
A concern was expressed at the November 12, 2019 Board of County Commissioners’ meeting that staff’s implementation of the Septic to Sewer Program may be different from what the Board approved. Specifically, there was a question of whether the fees represented at previous meetings included both water and sewer. Upon review of the meeting videos, staff can confirm that the discussion focused on sewer implementation only.
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
This is a policy matter, and, therefore, does not require a legal sufficiency review.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
Move that the Board provide confirmation of staff’s implementation of the Septic to Sewer Program.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Move that the Board provide further direction.
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
None
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>.