Our Connection Fee Has Increased!

On December 27, 2019 our sewer system was approved for service

Noticing that one of our neighbors was recently connected to the new system, I visited the County Building Dept. this afternoon to pay my connection fee.  We have all been waiting for our Registered Mail notification and I wanted to secure a place in the queue.  Instead of writing a check I had a 1 hour conference with the Utility Connection Supervisor and staff.  Here are the highlights of that meeting:

• The connection fee as presented to us in hand-outs (and until recently on the county website) was $2,627.16.
• The connection fee effective Jan 8, 2020 is $3190 ( a $563 increase).
• Residents who were notified had the opportunity to pay the $2,627.16 – if paid by Jan 8th.
• Property owners who have not already paid the fee will be charged $3190 regardless of whether or not they were notified.

Timeline of Events

Oct 8, 2019 – Resolution No. 2019-205 was adopted by the SBCC by a 5-0 vote.

December 2019 – Customer Cost sheet for PCSSRP appears on the county website reflecting the $3,190.00 fee.

Dec 27, 2019 – Letter to Lori Carroll from J.T. Hickey, P.E. stating “The system is approved for service”.

Dec 31, 2019 – Approximately eighteen N3 residents were notified by phone that they were now eligible to be connected to the new system. These 18 customers were on an “emergency list” due to failing septic tanks, drain fields, etc.  At least one resident was hand delivered his Notice of Availability at the county office where he paid the $2,627.16 fee.

Jan 8, 2020 – The increased fee of $3,190 goes into effect.

Is there anything we can do?

So, if we had been given prior notice that the fee was going to go up on Jan 8th we could have gone to the county and paid the lesser amount, whether or not we had received a Notice of Availability letter… or a phone call.  The folks that received a phone call had that chance.  I don’t know how many of those contacted took advantage of those seven days, but the rest of us had no opportunity!

I don’t think that’s right.

The statement at the top of the Customer Costs sheet says “fees… may be amended and are subject to change.”  Maybe if enough of us call the County we can get a retroactive grace period.  They listened to us before… maybe they’ll listen again.

A comment on County Staff

I walked into the County complex today completely unannounced.  After speaking to the receptionist I was promptly greeted by a Permit Coordinator from the Utility Dept. and taken to a conference room.  After speaking with her for a few minutes we were joined by a representative from Utilities Connections.  A short time later Supervisor Paula Parsons Grubb came in.  So, all three of these folks afforded me almost an hour of their time.  I sincerely appreciate the courtesy and interest shown to me on behalf of our neighborhood.

NOTE:  Paula Parsons Grubb has offered to take phone calls/emails from interested residents.

 

Tags: connection fees, sarasota county, sewers