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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: February 5, 2008 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. _ A- <br />SUBJECT: New Fee for Septic Contractors Class <br />DEPARTMENT: Health Department PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): None INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Rosemary Summers, 245-2411 <br />PURPOSE: To consider approving a new fee for a septic contractors class. <br />BACKGROUND: The NC General Assembly passed a law during the 2007 session that <br />requires septic contractors to be certified by a state licensing board and receive certification in <br />order to install or repair septic systems. The certification also requires a certain number of <br />hours of continuing education each year to maintain that certification. In addition, registration in <br />Orange County is required to assure that septic contractors are familiar with the County's <br />regulations governing septic systems. The Environmental Health Services staff has developed <br />a one-day class to accomplish the following: <br />o Provide an option for contractors to fulfill their continuing education requirements locally <br />and with meaningful education topics, and <br />o Assure that the contractors who are planning to work in Orange County are familiar with <br />the local processes and regulations. <br />Offering this educational opportunity will facilitate a smoother installation process and improve <br />customer satisfaction and communication between staff and contractors. To pay for the costs <br />associated with this class, the Health Department is requesting that a fee of $50 per contractor <br />be established for the one-day class. This will cover the costs of notebooks, duplicating, and <br />refreshments for the class. It is estimated that this will generate approximately $3,000 total that <br />will be used to defray these out of pocket costs. Any remaining revenue will be used to further <br />educational efforts directed toward homeowners. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: The $50 fee will cover the out of pocket costs for the class, generating <br />approximately $3,000 total. Staff time is not included in this cost;. however, there will be savings <br />in a smoother process of meeting requirements once the work has started on an individual <br />septic system. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the $50 fee for a <br />septic contractors class and increase the Health Department budget to reflect the projected fees <br />and expenses. Offering the class and charging a fee is contingent on approval of the class for <br />continuing education units by the state licensing board.