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7 <br /> Todd Taylor said the current schedule has the facility being completed in 2031. He said <br /> OWASA is participating in the preliminary studies in order to get a better understanding of costs <br /> and decide if they will contribute. <br /> Commissioner Fowler asked how costs would be divided if there is varying usage by <br /> partners. <br /> Todd Taylor said each partner would have capacity based on water needs and the costs <br /> would be divided accordingly. <br /> Commissioner Richards asked Todd Taylor to discuss what the report mentions regarding <br /> WASMPBA. <br /> Todd Taylor said OWASA provided a memo to elected officials about what it would take <br /> to extend service to that area. He said there is no technical reason OWASA could not serve this <br /> area. <br /> Commissioner Richards asked what the cost impact would be if boundaries are expanded. <br /> Todd Taylor said extensions into neighborhoods would be borne by developers and <br /> capacity infrastructure that would need to be improved to handle additional flow would be updated <br /> by OWASA, but system developments fees would be paid back to OWASA when homes connect <br /> their homes to service. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked to return to the Jordan Lake Western Intake Partnership <br /> discussion and asked if Hillsborough were part of the discussion and what would happen in the <br /> case of an emergency. <br /> Todd Taylor said Hillsborough has an allocation, but since they are not currently a partner, <br /> they would receive their water through the City of Durham. <br /> Related to the WASMPBA discussion, Commissioner Fowler asked how much it would <br /> cost for a single-family home to connect water and sewer. <br /> Todd Taylor said it depends on the meter size, but the cost is roughly several thousand <br /> dollars. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton said if WASMPBA is amended, OWASA would expand 7,700 feet <br /> of sewer segments and 4800 feet of water main, per the report. She asked if this would be part of <br /> OWASA's Capital Improvements Program. <br /> Todd Taylor said yes, but the costs would be recouped through system developments <br /> fees. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton asked if the initial costs would be covered through fund balance <br /> or borrowing. <br /> Todd Taylor said it would depend on the timing of the investment. He explained that it will <br /> not immediately have an impact on the system, and they would work with Chapel Hill to time it so <br /> infrastructure and investment coincide with when they think the growth will occur. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton clarified that OWASA may have to borrow for the infrastructure <br /> and asked how that would be paid for through increased rates. <br /> Todd Taylor said it again would depend on timing and what other things are happening <br /> that could put pressure on rates. He said it may be possible that other debt service will be paid <br /> off and so they are able to borrow without raising rates. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if OWASA will have to borrow money in order to extend <br /> water and sewer. <br /> Todd Taylor said if WASMPA is extended, there is not an immediate need for water and <br /> sewer. He explained that the need will occur overtime as growth occurs and houses are actually <br /> in need of the service. He said the cost could be stretched out over time and may not be one <br /> lump. <br />