Changes regarding City of Sedona sewer connections

SEDONA, AZ (July 15, 2010)- On July 13^th your City Council voted to adopt a Notice of Intention to amend Chapter 13 of the city's wastewater code. A public hearing on the amendment was set for September 28, 2010 to allow sufficient time for the required 90 day public noticing on the city web site. The amendments to the wastewater code will be brought before the City Council after the September public meeting.

In the mean time, property owners may begin the connection process by contacting the Public Works Department at City Hall. 

The Council requested the city staff to make a number of changes to the original proposal published prior to the Council meeting.

Those changes include:

• keeping the current environmental fee equal to twice the sewer service fee,
• charging a deferred user fee equal to one-half the sewer service fee for both the first and second five year deferral,
• and requiring an inspection of the deferred septic system at 5 year intervals.

For those property owners who have refused to connect to the city sewer system, the amnesty period was extended to July 31, 2011, and the 50% forgiveness was restricted to penalty and interest charges but the outstanding environment fees must be paid in full. Property owners seeking amnesty will not be allowed to further defer connecting to the sewer system.

The following amendments were agreed upon by the Council:

Capacity Rates

The current capacity fee of $5,150 will be extended through January 31, 2011. On February 1, 2011 the rate will be increased to $5,325 through June 30, 2011. The new proposed capacity rate schedule beginning July 1^st 2011 will increase annually by approximately $1,100, to $6,427 on July 1, 2011, $7,529 on July 1, 2012 and reaching a fee of $8,631 on July 1, 2013.  

Connection Deferral Agreement

A property owner having a legally functioning septic system in an area that has been provided city sewer service may enter into an agreement with the city to defer connecting to the city sewer system. In general under the deferral agreement, the property owner:

•  is granted a deferment of 5 years and will be required to pay one-half the current sewer service fee, which currently would be $18.71, beginning 6 months after entering into a deferral agreement with the city

• may request that the agreement may be renewed for a second 5-year period and will pay one-half the current sewer service fee that normally is charged during the second 5-year period

• must have their septic system inspected before each deferral

• failing to connect or enter into a deferral agreement with the city, will be assessed an environmental penalty charge equal to two times the standard monthly sewer fee

Capacity Fee Financing

Any property owner having access to city sewer service that either connects to the sewer or enters into a deferral agreement with the city prior expiration of the 180 day notification period and cannot obtain bank financing, may finance the current scheduled capacity fee through the city.

Amnesty for Residents Who Have Previously Failed to Connect

Owners of properties that were notified of their requirement to connect to the city sewer prior to July 1, 2010, and have refused to do so may take advantage of connecting to the sewer system during an amnesty period ending July 31, 2011. Outstanding penalties and accrued interest for failure to connect may be reduced to one-half of the amount owed during this amnesty period. 

Capacity Stand By Fees

Effective  July 1, 2010, a capacity standby fee was enacted that assesses owners of undeveloped properties having access to city sewer a fee equal to one half times the standard sewer service fee, $18.71. If two or more undeveloped adjacent properties are owned by a single owner, or if an owner of an improved parcel also owns an adjacent contiguous unimproved parcel, the owner may request from the city an exemption to the standby fee for the adjacent property by demonstrating that the contiguous property or properties cannot or will not be developed.

As an alternative, the owner of the two or more undeveloped contiguous properties may apply to the City's Community Development Department to have the properties merged into one parcel.

In writing this article, I have reviewed the factual information with City Manager Tim Ernster, and members of the city staff to ensure factual correctness.  Please be reminded that any expression of opinion that may be read into this article can only be attributed to me as the author of the article and should not be construed as representing the position or opinion of the City Council.