Agenda - 05-11-1999 - 2 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

~ ,~ ISSUE PAPER Potential Resources Required Related to Two Specific Initiatives (Expanded Wastewater Treatment Program/Innovation and Efficiency) 1. Expansion of the Wastewater Treatment Management Program In 1998, the Orange County Boazd of Health formed an ad hoc committee to develop a proposal to expand the current Wastewater Treatment Management Program. The current program focuses on monitoring alternative on-site wastewater treatment systems and does not include conventional septic systems. 2 In October 1998 the ad hoc committee forwarded a proposal for an expanded Wastewater Treatment Management Program that would include conventional septic systems to the Board of Health. In November 1998 the Boazd forwazded the adopted proposal to the Boazd of Commissioners. On March 8, 1999, the Boazd of Health and the Board of Commissioners discussed the proposal in a joint work session. The proposal includes athree-pronged approach of education, inspections, and homeowner incentives. It proposes to start the inspection phase of the program in the water quality critical areas of the watersheds and move outwazd from there. The funding mechanisms for the program were proposed to be a combination of fees and County general fund support. At the March work session, the Commissioners agreed in principle that this is an important azea to consider for protecting the health of the public and for protecting the environment. The Board asked the Health Department to start this program with a more fully developed educational plan. This would specifically tazget educating current homeowners about maintenance of their septic systems and raise general public awareness about safe drinking water. Funding needs and strategies for the remaining portion of the program also would be more fully developed in the first year. The Health Department is in the process of recalling the ad hoc committee for additional work on the education plan and will return to the Boazd of Health in June and to the Boazd of Commissioners in August with a fully developed educational plan. It is expected that a request for a new environmental educator position will be made at that time for the remainder of the 1999-2000 budget year. In the 1999-00 budget process, the Health Department is requesting that two-thirds of the environmental health educator position's cost and associated costs for implementing the educational plan be placed in reserve for potential implementation in 1999-00. If the position were approved effective October 1, the estimated 1999-00 cost is as follows: Annual Position Annual One Time Offsetting Revenue Net 99-00 Position Cost Costs (Salary/ Operating Start Up or Budget Savings (prorated for 10/1 date) Benefits) Cost Cost and Start Up Costs $44,550 $15,350 $3,292 $0 $48,217