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Commission OKs countywide mandatory sewer connection
Submitted by Robby Douglas on Tue, 07/27/2010 - 4:21pm.
County Commissioner Dennis Damato, who has gone on record as being a supporter of the elimination of septic tanks in the county, explains to fellow commissioners why he thinks central hookups would be a cheaper option for those with septic tank problems.
Citrus County commissioners today unanimously approved an ordinance that requires everyone who has access to central county sewage service to hook into it.
The county blamed the state for the necessity of putting the law on the books.
County Commission Chairman Gary Bartell said the state has not lived up to its part of a state mandate to require mandatory connections, and has left it up to the county to assure compliance. That means those who are on septic tanks and who are within an area serviced by central county sewer will have to hook into the county's service.
The county ordinance requires that residents comply within 365 days of being notified by the county to hook up to the centralized sewer. Currently, according to commission chairman Gary Bartell, there are abut 48 people who are not in compliance. Bartell said not being in compliance with the state-mandated requirement would also put the county's approximately $21 million in state grants in jeopardy. It would also jeopardize future projects, as well, he added.
During public discussion, only two members of the public spoke. Dave Conant, Beverly Hills, spoke in favor of the ordinance. One Lake Rousseau-area resident spoke against the ordinance. She told commissioners she is not currently on central water or sewer, and wanted to know if she had anything to worry about. "Nobody likes mandates. I don't like them either," one resident said.
The short answer to her question was that if the county didn't have the money to bring central sewer to her area, she would not have to worry - at this time. Once the county did bring service, however, she and everyone else would have 365 days to comply.
Commissioner Dennis Damato said it would actually be cheaper to be hooked up to a central system than a normal septic system. Getting a septic tank fixed would be expensive. "They would be in a world of hurt if they when (residents) find out how many dollars they have to expend. Believe it or not, it would probably be cheaper for them to pay a sewer connection fee to hook to a
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Mandatory sewer
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