In keeping with their commitment to keep the cost of the sewer service to existing homeowners on southern Kent Island at or below $100/month, the commissioners voted unanimously on August 28th to adopt Resolution 18-44 which establishes the Southern Kent Island (SKI) Sanitary Project Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Rate schedule at $30/month for existing homeowners. The amended Resolution 14-07 also fixes the maximum monthly assessment (the construction portion of the project) at $70/month for existing homeowners. The establishment of a water conditioner fee of $100 per quarter if the connection of the water conditioner unit was connected to backwash into the system was removed from the rate schedule. While still a concern, county staff will work closely with homeowners to ensure that backwash of water conditioner systems does not enter into the sewer system.
The commissioners also voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 18-45 which levied the Special Benefit Assessment on vacant lots, both those with a valid soil percolation test (Class C) and those without a valid soil percolation test (Class B). Both Class B and C properties were assesed a Sewer Base Cost of $2,320 (the cost of the system divided by all properties in the service area) and the Class B lots were assessed an additional $25,600 Economic Benefit Premium, which recognizes the estimated increase in value of the lot with sewer. The repayment of these benefit assessments were also amended in Resolution 14-07 which provide an interest only deferral option as the default option for lot owners. Additional amendments to Resolution 14-07 extended the deadline to voluntarily combine lots until October 1, 2018 and established the final service area maps.