1989-04-25 Water & Sewer
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MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING
NEW_HANOYER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT
APRTT. ::l~, 1989
ASSEMBLY
The Board of District Commissioners of the New Hanov r
County Water and Sewer District held a Public Hearing on Tuesd ,
April 25, 1989, at 7:30 o'clock P.M. in the auditorium f
Wrightsboro Elementary School.
Members present were: District Commissioners E. L. Mathe
Jr.; Fred Retchin; Vice-Chairman W. Albert Corbett, J
Chairman, Jonathan Barfield, Sri County Attorney, Robert W. Po
Assistant County Manager, Mary Gornto, and Clerk to the Boa
Lucie F. Harrell.
District commissioner O'Neal was absent.
Chairman Barfield called the meeting to order and welco ed
the 74 persons present. He encouraged the public to particip te
in the question and answer period after the presentation by
Talbert, Cox & Associates, Inc. on the Sewer Feasibility Study
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PRESENTATION OF SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY BY TALBERT, COX &
ASSOCIATES, INC.
Mr. Si Riffle, of Talbert, Cox & Associates, Inc., presen ed
the Sewer Feasibility Study and explained the following meth ds
of financing for completion of the Sewer System:
1. Existing Plan - "Pay-as-you-go"
2. Sewer District Property Tax
3. Assessments
4. Additional Sales Tax Revenue
5. Property Transfer Tax
Chairman Barfield opened the Public Hearing and asked if
anyone would like to speak. The following persons commented:
Mr. Robert Kendrick, representing the Taxpayers Associat n,
stated he felt the sales tax would be a fair way to complete he
Sewer System. He expressed concern for telling the public at
the system can be completed for $199 million and for not
informing the citizens that water lines are being installed.
Chairman Barfield encouraged Mr. Kendrick to address the
issue being discussed, which is funding of the Sewer Sys em,
stating no plans have been made for installation of water lin s.
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Mr. Jim Sandy, Chairman of the N. C. Association of
Realtors, expressed concern for enacting a property transfer tax
listing the following disadvantages:
2 1 6 MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING, APRIL 25, 1989 (CONTINUED)
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Th~ property transfer tax is discriminatory in that it
affects buyers and sellers t'7ho are only a sma 11 segment of
of the populations.
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Revenue from the transfer tax is unreliable as the transfer
of real estate fluctuates with the economy.
The transfer tax would negatively affect the already
critical "affordability indexes" because the cost of the
tax will be passed on to the home buyer.
The transfer tax is anti-economic in that New Hanover County
will be less competitive for new businesses because adjoinin
counties or states do not have a transfer tax.
Ms. Ruby Williamson recommended using the "Pay-as-you-go
lan.
Mr. Jimmy Bordeaux recommended that all citizens should pa
or the system and expressed concern for use of bond proceeds 0
he first two phases of the system. He strongly oppose
ollection of impact fees when the Castle Hayne area will no
eceive sewer service for 20 years.
Mr. Richard F. Carter, 209 Oakhurst Road, Wilmington, Nort
arolina, stated the reason for the shortfall of funding on th
ystem is due to the lack of management. He stated the estimate
ost of the system by the year 2010 will be $325 million instea
f the $200 million projected and recommended not proceeding wit
financing method until the actual cost has been determined.
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Mr. Ernest Puskas, a resident of Castle Hayne, asked why th
ounty has to continue expansion of the system. He recommende
ayment of the current bond issue by the present users, an
tated if the County is determined to expand the system,
roperty tax should be levied in order for everyone to recei v
ewer as quickly as possible and all share in payment of th
ystem.
Mr. William Funderburg, a resident of Castle Hayne, aske
he amount of funds on hand in the impact fee account? Assistan
inance Director, Alan Mozingo, stated approximately $750,000 an
ointed out that these funds can be used only for sewer plan
mprovements. Mr. Funderburg asked if these funds will be use
o improve the Northside Treatment Plant? Assistant Finane
irector Mozingo stated $73,000 has been allocated fo
erformance of a study to expand the Northside Treatment Plant.
Mr. Funderburg stated he does not feel the County ha
islead the citizens and complimented the Staff and Board for th
ard work that has gone into installing a county-wide sewe
ystem. He thanked the Commissioners for holding Public Hearing
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MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING, APRIL 25, 1989 (CONTINUED)
217
and allowing the general public to express their opinions and
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Mr. Leonard Long, a member of the Wrightsboro Volunteer Fir
epartment, commented on establishment of the Fire Servic
istrict and the tax levied stating at that time he was oppose
o a imposing a tax in the district. He stated after seeing ho
his tax has provided and improved fire service to the citizen
f the County, he would recommend levying a tax in the Water an
ewer District for completion of the system.
Ms. June Gilbert asked if one house is located in the middl
f three lots, will a tap fee be charged for each lot. Chairm
arfield stated only one tap fee will have to be paid.
Mr. Eugene Suggs, a resident of Castle Hayne, express
oncern for having no guarantee of what it will cost to conne
o the system by the year 2010. He recommended establishing
olicy whereby all citizens of the County in all phases will
harged the same connection fee.
Mr. Emerson Whitted stated if the citizens of the Coun
ant a better qualify of life, they will have to pay for servic
nd support the Commissioners in their effort to provide the
services.
Mr. Rudy Greschen asked if the Northside Treatment Plant s
upgraded, how long will it have enough capacity to handle t e
flow of waste? Assistant Finance Director, Alan Mozingo, stat d
the upgrade should last for 20 years.
Ms. Betty Parker asked if persons using private treatme t
plants will have to connect to the Sewer System? Chairm n
Barfield stated the treatment plant will be closed and the li e
presently being used will tie into the County's sewer line.
Ms. Myrtle Barnhill, a resident of Castle Hayne, recommend d
holding another Public Hearing in the Ogden area stating ma y
people were not aware of the hearing being held tonight.
Mr. David Abernathy asked when the sewer service will e
available to the Castle Hayne and Wrightsboro area? Sy Riff e
stated approximately 20 years.
Mr. Bill Miller, a property owner and contractor in e
Castle Hayne area, expressed concern for not receiving sewer n
the northern end of the County until 2010 and recommended t t
the County Staff find some method of financing that will al w
the system to be completed at a earlier date.
Mr. Jim Sandy stated the State Department of Health
studying alternative methods of septic tank disposal systems
soils of poor quality.
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2 1 8 MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING, APRIL 25, 1989 (CONTINUED)
Mr. Bill Funderburg commented efforts by Representative
n~virl Rerlwine to lessen regulations governinq issuance of septic
Commissioner Corbett recommended holding a Public Heari
ith State Health Officials discussing alternative dispos
ystems and inviting Representative David Redwine to discu
roposed amendments to State regulations governing issuance
eptic tank permits. It was the consensus of the Board
chedule a meeting of this type in the Castle Hayne/Wrightsbo
nd Ogden area.
Ms. Frank Braswell recommended contacting other counties
ethods of financing used for installation of sewer systems.
Mr. Jim Swart asked why private treatment plants can not
. ncorporated into the Sewer System. Assistant Finance Direct
ozingo stated these plants can serve only a certain number
eople and have no potential for expansion.
Chairman Barfield closed the Public Hearing.
OMMENTS FROM THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS
District Commissioner Mathews expressed appreciation to a
ersons attending the Public Hearing and invited anyone who d'
ot have an opportunity to express their concerns to write
etter or attend Regular Meetings of the County Commissioners a
peak during the 3-minutes period allowed for public comments.
District Commissioner Retchin stated he would be glad
iscuss issues pertaining to the sewer system with anyone a
ncouraged interested citizens to call.
Vice-Chairman Corbett encouraged citizens to call or write
ote expressing their opinions stating the District Board nee
o hear from everyone.
Chairman Barfield stated as Chairman of the District Boar ,
e will continue to work with Staff and the engineering firm
ork out the best methods for financing the system. He stated
ecisions will be made without informing the general public.
JOURNMENT
Chairman Barfield adjourned the meeting at 9:30 o'clock P. .
~pectfuy-y .s~mitted,
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:c cie F. Harrell
Clerk to the District
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