Updated 11/10/16 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BCC) CHARLOTTE COUNTY UTILITIES DEPARTMENT Sewer Master Plan BCC Workshop November 15, 2016 C h a r l otte Count y Utilities D e pt. 1
SEWER SYSTEM EXPANSION FUNDING METHODOLOGY How Do We Pay for This? C h a r l otte Count y Utilities D e pt. 2
STEWARDSHIP OF THE ENVIRONMENT Prioritize replacement of septic tanks to maximize environmental benefits in a manner that is affordable to residents and business owners. C h a r l otte Count y Utilities D e pt. 3
Existing Water Service C h a r l otte Count y Utilities D e pt. 4 Source: Charlotte County Utilities, Infrastructure Workshop, October 2015
Existing Wastewater Service C h a r l otte Count y Utilities D e pt. 5 Source: Map of Existing Wastewater Service in Charlotte County, Jones Edmunds & Associates, Inc.
Septic and Other On-Site Sewer Charlotte County Utilities Dept. 6 Source: Map of Septic Tanks in Charlotte County, Jones Edmunds & Associates, Inc.
Property Types and Environmental Benefits A) Developed properties connected to central sewer B) Developed properties with septic systems (i.e. septic tanks) C) Undeveloped parcels with central sewer service available D) Undeveloped parcels with no central service available C h a r l otte Count y Utilities D e pt. 7
Parcel Breakdown Estimated parcels by type Developed Parcels Undeveloped Parcels A B C D Totals Mid County 27,755 18,213 7,539 40,240 93,747 South County 3,498 2,551 3,068 10,471 19,588 West County 10,670 7,523 26,692 17,487 62,372 Total 41,923 28,287 37,299 68,198 Sewer Available Sewer Not Available A: Central sewer available (Developed) B: Central sewer not available (Developed) C: Central sewer available (Vacant) D: Central sewer not available (Vacant) C h a r l otte Count y Utilities D e pt. 8
Select MSBU Parcel Data El Jobean: 350 developed 207 undeveloped US41: 330 developed 1,017 undeveloped Ackerman Countryman: 1,735 developed 1,574 undeveloped East/West Spring Lake: 1,916 developed 424 undeveloped C h a r l otte Count y Utilities D e pt. 9
Balance the Sewer System Expansion Plan Environmental Goals Customer Affordability & Accommodation Fiscal Constraints (Utility/County) C h a r l otte Count y Utilities D e pt. 10
Sewer Extension Costs Sewer System Component Component Benefit Onsite (lateral, etc.) Site specific Collection lines Neighborhood Transmission Regional or System-wide Treatment/Disposal Planning and Coordination Regional or System-wide Regional or System-wide C h a r l otte Count y Utilities D e pt. 11
Affordability Affordability Guidelines Specifically, it is commonly inferred that EPA would consider a combined annual water and wastewater bill of less than 4.5% of MHI to be affordable -Affordability Assessment Tool for Federal Water Mandates, AWWA and WEF AWWA & EPA % of Median Household Income (MHI) Water 2% & Wastewater 2.5% $43,698 Charlotte County* MHI Source for MHI data: http://www.city-data.com *Metropolitan Statistical Area minus City of Punta Gorda C h a r l otte Count y Utilities D e pt. 12
Affordability Indicators - Sewer Monthly Monthly Usage % of MHI Affordability (Max Bill Target) Monthly Sewer Bill amount for Financed Utility 20-Year Assessment Amount Infrastructure (annual) (monthly) 3,000 Gallons 2.5% $1,092 $91 $49 $42 $10,080 4,000 Gallons 2.5% $1,092 $91 $54 $37 $8,880 NOTES: 1. Single family residential example shown. 2. Costs associated with on site work NOT included. C h a r l otte Count y Utilities D e pt. 13
Cost Affordability Affordability Threshold (to be identified) Other Funding Sources Customer Responsibility Area A Area B Area C C h a r l otte Count y Utilities D e pt. 14
Other Funding Sources Availability of Other Funding Sources Legal and Administrative Considerations Discussion of Merits and Benefit: RESTORE/grants Ad valorem Countywide Excluding PGU/EWD Sales Tax Local Option Utility Rates MSTU Environmental Fee [MSBU] Economic Development C h a r l otte Count y Utilities D e pt. 15
Discussion of MSBU Methodology Approach Recommend one ERU per developed single-family residential Vacant 50% or more vacant properties in many areas Assess or not assess? Property value Project creditworthiness and feasibility Experience in Pilot area Opt-out provision? Opt-in provision? Look for opportunities to extend repayment? Design to minimize cost to vacant? Policy could require large other funding to carry cost Should MSBUs be sized down to minimize carrying cost? C h a r l otte Count y Utilities D e pt. 16
Discussion of MSBU Methodology Approach (cont d) Rebate program for recent upgrades Recommend delay connection / adjust mandatory connection policy instead of rebate Commercial US41 MSBU method is offset front footage Alternative is sewer demand based on highest and best use flow C h a r l otte Count y Utilities D e pt. 17
Alternative to MSBU Utility Expansion Develop System-Wide Expansion Fee Justified on System-Average Costs Mandatory Connection Connection for developed properties Delayed connection for recent onsite upgrades Vacant parcels connect at time of development When/Where to Extend Financial feasibility Customer request Hotspots CCU Would Need to Conduct Feasibility Evaluation of potential utility expansion program C h a r l otte Count y Utilities D e pt. 18
Alternative to MSBU Utility Expansion (cont d) Advantages to Utility Expansion Approach Project feasibility Certainty of cost to customer Avoid vacant parcel issues No MSBU hearings and administrative burden Disadvantages More limited expansion of septic replacement More chance for additional septic tanks because of limited expansion Administration of financing program to customer C h a r l otte Count y Utilities D e pt. 19
Hardship 1 ERU wastewater assessment: East-West Spring Lake: $40 per month* 2016 proposed MSBU areas: $59 to 63 per month* Full cost recovery Approaches affordability threshold Lower assessment target requires other funding Hardship program: Annual qualification process for full assessment payment Income and asset limitations East-West Spring Lake between 29 to 92 per year * with 4% early pay discount C h a r l otte Count y Utilities D e pt. 20
Next Steps Feasibility of Options Legal Financial (customer, utility and other funding) Administration Do Options Meet County Goals? Environmental Customer Affordability Fiscal Constraints C h a r l otte Count y Utilities D e pt. 21
Affordability Indicators - Water Monthly Monthly Usage % of MHI Affordability (Max Bill Target) Monthly Water Bill amount for Financed Utility 20-Year Assessment Amount Infrastructure (annual) (monthly) 3,000 Gallons 2.0% $874 $73 $35 $38 $9,120 4,000 Gallons 2.0% $874 $73 $40 $33 $7,920 NOTES: 1. Single family residential example shown. 2. Costs associated with on site work NOT included. C h a r l otte Count y Utilities D e pt. 22