Orange County NC Website
786 <br />several questions from commissioners Gordon and Insko. These questions mainly <br />had to do with the tier of service or the level of monitoring type four_,._ <br />systems. There are a number of things on which the Board needs to give sta. ;. <br />direction. He made reference to the chart in the abstract which outlines ai-.. <br />the types of systems and the state regulatory agency responsible for the <br />system, the number of systems, required inspection frequency from OCHD and the <br />required inspection frequency management entity. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis expressed a concern with the $100 fee per <br />inspection. Paul Thames explained the process that will be followed in <br />performing the inspection stating that he feels the $100 is an accurate <br />representation of the cost of conducting the inspection. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that she and Commissioner Insko were also <br />concerned about the cost and the fact that all inspections will cost the same. <br />However, the staff did not come up with any alternatives. They did not feel <br />that all the taxpayers should pay for these inspections through their taxes <br />when it only involves a few systems. <br />Commissioner Willhoit asked if it is generally recommended that <br />somebody have DEH type three systems inspected every five years and Paul <br />Thames stated that this is a requirement of the State. <br />Commissioner Insko made reference to the fees and asked that a <br />report be brought back to the Board after there is a track record so they can <br />determine if the fee is covering the cost or if it is too high. <br />Commissioner Insko made reference to the DEH four tiers and said <br />that one of their guiding principles was.that the Health Department should not <br />do something that the private sector can do successfully. The experience has <br />been that the private sector is not performing to a standard that will protect <br />the County so the recommendation is that the Health Department do a backu'-' <br />inspection. She would recommend tier 2 which is annual for the first two c, <br />three years until it can be determined if the private sector can improve their- <br />performance level. At that time, the Health Department could do the <br />inspections at the tier 1 level. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that at the Piney Mountain development, <br />there were no required inspections. If the county gets into this and the <br />landowners are not charged, then the taxpayers must pay. If the Board wants <br />to avoid situations like Piney Mountain, an inspection program needs to be in <br />place.. She feels that the Board should. not expect__the general taxpayers to <br />pay for specific owners of the systems. If it is too much to charge to cover <br />the cost, then they have to protect the public health less and go back to what <br />is required by the State. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis feels that a charge of $50.00 would be more <br />reasonable.. He knows that if the Health Department does the inspections it <br />will be done right. He feels that people need to be educated to the fact that <br />these inspections are being mandated to the County. <br />John Link noted that the Board can vote on the cost recovery <br />percentage. <br />Commissioner Willhoit expressed a concern with duplication of lab <br />results for a test required by DEM. Paul Thames stated that a certified lab <br />result for a test required by DEM could be submitted whether the sample was <br />taken by the Health Department or the operator. <br />Commissioner Willhoit feels that a public hearing should be held <br />and notices sent to all people who have those systems so maybe they can get <br />more direct feedback about some of the problems out there. <br />Chair Carey agreed that fees should be related to costs. As soot. <br />as Orange County has an agreement with DEM, the County can obtain copies of