Open Letter to the Sewer Board

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Sewer Board

I would like to take this time to present to you an idea, That I feel will help, not only you the members of the board, but also the residents of the county. What I propose, since forming the new sewer districts is not about new development, that an Impact Fee be place upon all new development wanting to hook into the new sewer system. By charging this fee to new development it will not only pay off the loans faster, but also would reduce the sewer rates that are being proposed to the residents.

What I propose is that a $5000 fee be paid pre unit being built. That’s $5000 for each home, apartment, condo and trailer being added to the sewer system. This fee does not include connection charges, upgrades, or plant expansions. Developers would be responsible for these charges separately.

The construction of just 100 new homes or units would generate the sum of $500,000 - 300 homes or units $1,500,000 - 500 homes or units $2,500,000, 1000 homes or units $5,000,000. If 80% of this is put toward paying off loans and 20% is put toward rate reductions and maintenance. This would get residential cost down to $20 to $25 a month, instead of $63 a month.

I believe that instead of paying 40 years on a loan it could be paid off in 10 to 12 years. Which everyone would benefit. The Developers won’t be out any money, because they will just add it to the selling cost of their homes or units, the residents in turn benefit with cheaper rates.

Once the loans are paid then 50% of the money would go for rate reductions and 50% would go to plant expansion and upkeep and wages.


DAN BROOKS
9/7/2004