Agenda - 03-09-1999 - IIA - Laserfiche WebLink

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• SCENARIO NOTES These scenarios represent three different methods for funding the WTMP expansion. Since the existing WTMP activities are proposed to be folded into a comprehensive approach with the expansion, their numbers are included in these figures. The mechanism for entry into the program is to include all newly installed systems, repaired systems, alternative systems and those gravity flow conventional systems which are re- inspected each year. The gravity flow system re- inspections would begin in the Water Quality Critical Areas in the County, expand into the corresponding watersheds and eventually into other watershed areas not serving as water supplies for Orange County citizens. The projection is that entry of all systems in the County would take 15 -20 years. Because the Board of Health recommended splitting the cost of the program between the system owners and the general fund, each of the three scenarios has been broken down into 60/40 and 80/20 percentage splits. These splits were arbitrarily chosen by staff. The first alternative of an annual operations permit fee originated in the WTMP Expansion workgroup and was the one endorsed by the Board of Health. This fee would be charged to systems owners after their system is installed, repaired or re- inspected. The fee would subsidize the cost of the next re- inspection in five years. If new system owners took advantage of the incentive and voluntarily serviced their system before the fifth year, the fee could be waived for years 5 -10 since no re- inspection would • be necessary before year 11. The second alternative would continue fee collections according to the current setup of billing each existing system owner after their systems are re- inspected. The current WTUT fee is $60 and does not approach full recovery of the service cost. The last alternative is one offered by the County Manager which spreads the pro -rated cost to system owners of the program to all homes/busmesses in the County served by on -site wastewater systems. It has the advantage of minimizing the financial impact of the program to individuals while eventually providing for the re- inspection of all existing systems. Please note that all three paradigms assume 100% collection rates and include only direct personnel and operating costs and- that revenue collection could lag behind the implementation of the program. Furthermore, if extensive failures are discovered, there may be more staff requirements for repair permitting and installation inspection. All system figures are generally based on projected growth rates and estimates from system installations in the 1990's. Finally, the educational and database positions are included in the cost estimates but they are not part of the staff requirements listed on the system estimates spreadsheet. • 22