1997-10-20 Water & Sewer
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, OCTOBER 20, 1997PAGE 396
ASSEMBLY
The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District
met in Regular Session on Monday, October 20, 1997, at 11:06 A.M. in the Assembly Room of the
New Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: District Commissioners Buzz Birzenieks; Ted Davis, Jr.; Robert G.
Greer; Vice-Chairman Charles R. Howell; Chairman William A. Caster; County Manager, Allen
O’Neal; County Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk to the District Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Chairman Caster called the meeting to order.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Chairman Caster announced that time had been reserved for anyone from the public to present
an item that was not listed on the agenda. He asked if anyone present would like to comment.
No items or remarks were received.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion
: District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Greer
to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 6, 1997, as presented by the Clerk to the
District Board. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
AUTHORIZATION FOR NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT
TO REIMBURSE THE WASTEWATER IMPACT FEE CHARGED TO HOME DEPOT
County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, reported since the beginning of the Sewer System the
sewer policy has allowed a property owner in the District adjacent to the City Limits to be voluntarily
annexed by the City of Wilmington to become a sewer customer. The new shopping center, known
as Home Depot, is adjacent to the City Limits and is being voluntarily annexed. During the permitting
process, the District mistakenly charged Home Depot an impact fee of $48,108.75, which should have
been charged by the City. Staff is requesting permission to reimburse the fee to the developer.
Motion:
District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Davis
to authorize staff to reimburse Home Deport $48,108.75 for the impact fee charged through error
by the District. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Discussion followed on whether the Water and Sewer District was operating at a loss.
District Commissioner Davis reported that several persons had asked if the Water and Sewer District
was operating at a loss, and if money was being transferred from other sources to absorb the loss.
District Commissioner Greer reported if no additional sewer construction had occurred, the
Water and Sewer District would be self-sufficient. However, as the District continues to expand,
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, OCTOBER 20, 1997PAGE 397
a portion of the sales tax revenue must be used to pay for existing and future debt. He stated if the
County had not been required to expand sewer service to other areas of the unincorporated county
because no one else was willing to provide the service, the sales tax would not have to be used to
fund the system.
Finance Director, Bruce Shell, advised that $73 million had been spent on sewer projects since
its inception.
County Engineer Blanchard stated if the $73 million figure had included the amount
contributed by developers, the figure would increase by at least 50 percent.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion
: Vice-Chairman Howell MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Davis to adjourn.
Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman Caster adjourned the meeting at 11:25 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board