[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6349856,"mediaKeyId","2235860-dac60dea0f8741e41f11cfe17f935367","parentId",2235860,"title","Utility commission recommends combining three septic‑to‑sewer projects for next DEP grant application","audioSeconds",656,"startMs",4827000,"endMs",5483000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2235860-dac60dea0f8741e41f11cfe17f935367&start=4827&end=5483","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2235860-dac60dea0f8741e41f11cfe17f935367/thumbnail_4827000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6349856/Lake-Placid/Highlands-County/Florida/Utility-commission-recommends-combining-three-septictosewer-projects-for-next-DEP-grant-application","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6349856-63db4c645d6f709353ece5d0d59f0307/orig.mp4?Expires=1775286008&Signature=nW1Eej3skLrwFnlEw4n-RvQefe7i70kA3PsAtxCUZF-PCnQJghTaNyCN-P54U7ThCq7s1qsfHY9BC2y8CrNtDrYDEEsJF4YD4B6ZLTacOcEaC4R6yXOJBcUIefnwYdQkY2f4Oc83nSSVhIdFjSWtCx-dsQAVXgzu3~Q6mAhPNQfpeIpPmsReUAWmmwzdicYu5X4-6ZdsKH8X7pW5jmFPBMD6fnUbB-9CbEX4uwt2bHvbHx9Y4w15karbH-fjhID6I46~uVIsHxkdgjtN4l00Fa-OQXMB~rY~g91DYLuKbDlc-KVk2UTgWFbMBWb-dgXn324i53XQwM5DAgATb18Tsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Lake Placid, FL","date","2025-02-05T08:45:05Z","article","The Lake Placid Utility Commission agreed to recommend that Town Council include projects 1, 2 and 3 as a combined priority in the next Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) grant application, and to omit Placid Lakes from that combined package.

During the utility director’s report staff summarized a list of candidate projects and explained time lines for grant windows. Staff said DEP grant applications typically open in May–June and that a decision from DEP is commonly known within roughly three months after applying; federal earmark and SRF funding windows were discussed separately. Staff also warned that a DEP grant can trigger mandatory hook‑ups in served areas under state rules if septic systems fail.

After discussion about project sequencing and funding availability, a motion to prioritize projects 1, 2 and 3 combined into the next DEP grant application and to leave Placid Lakes out of that combined submittal was moved and seconded; the motion was recorded and instructions given that staff will prepare the application materials and bring the recommendation to Town Council. The commission discussed expected timelines (design, permitting and construction sequencing) and noted the largest construction item among the three is the Tomoka lift station and its force main, which carries the longest procurement and equipment lead times.

Staff said closing federal or state funding often requires detailed design and permitting before reimbursement is available and that timelines could extend into the next year for construction awards. Commissioners asked for schedules showing when specific projects would be designed and bid; staff agreed to include those schedules in the council submittal.

The recommendation will be forwarded to Town Council for final decision and for any required authorizations to submit DEP and federal applications.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Lake Placid LPRUAC 2-4-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission recommended that the Town Council prioritize three septic‑to‑sewer projects (projects 1, 2 and 3) in the next DEP grant application and exclude Placid Lakes from that combined application; staff will prepare materials for council consideration.","taxTitle","Lake Placid, Highlands County, Florida","taxId",54067,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6349861,"Commission allows homeowner to install private 1.5‑inch water line; asks staff to write policy for future requests",1996,2890000,4886000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2235860-dac60dea0f8741e41f11cfe17f935367&start=2890&end=4886","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2235860-dac60dea0f8741e41f11cfe17f935367/thumbnail_2890000.jpg","/articles/6349861/Lake-Placid/Highlands-County/Florida/Commission-allows-homeowner-to-install-private-15inch-water-line-asks-staff-to-write-policy-for-future-requests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6349861-7afc2f7c2a7c1cf8be36cff600d1adbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775286008&Signature=E3PRnRT52KKux28vXAbiQ~4dWUXNnLw8AKmJqmlp9~5KOuQnFFX6frdFB5hjXM4mSUbqLYURM~RnZyAcIVizoaTAT9pqVnAkFRGY~iMn0mF68HeHZStvM0H51cemE9d0f4JTKVQTgk0~ggsxMYE21~-kkLbv9xXYcCv9R1viSFaakeLGwLER~cXDia6VAlZpJngn3tqh-q3Pb6PMW7rFv42DztDVjZAVjS5TaeQg68hIxI~9AlTzdcZiIQH-j5Waw7o35ObsHVubVfkwyf0QhNoQFZjHhjlS4Y5d1KrS-HC4t8jEYcHameZbu3i9YsDNuLUANcvVo-B5RhAn2UZoHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Placid Utility Commission approved a motion permitting a homeowner to install a private 1.5‑inch water service to his property at his own expense and directed staff to draft a policy to govern similar future requests.

Homeowner William Clone told the commission he and a neighbor had been seeking municipal water for about 18 months and had offered to pay roughly $39,000 for an inch‑and‑a‑half service from the town main on Lake June Road. Brandon Copper (engineer/contractor), representing the work team, said the larger options — a 3‑ or 6‑inch line with hydrants — were substantially more expensive (estimates discussed ranged from about $90,000 to more than $100,000 for upsized mains and hydrants).

Utility staff explained tradeoffs: an individual 1.5‑inch line would provide water to those two houses quickly but could create pressure and service problems if multiple neighbors later tied into the small private line. Staff said the town’s main on Lake June Road is a 12‑inch line and that a properly sized extension for long‑term service and fire protection would generally require a 3‑ to 6‑inch main with hydrants and different permitting and cost implications.

Commissioners debated whether the utility fund should contribute. Staff said the town’s utility is an enterprise fund separate from general town tax revenues; the utility has capital reserves that could be used but numerous higher‑priority projects are already on the list. Commissioners discussed a split‑cost approach; one scenario mentioned in the discussion was the town contributing roughly $60,000 toward an upsized main with the homeowner providing the remainder.

A motion to allow the homeowner to install the 1.5‑inch line failed for lack of a second. A subsequent motion to allow the homeowner to proceed at his own expense and to direct staff to develop a formal policy for individual home hookups was made, seconded by Jack Conley, and carried on a recorded poll: John Draper — Aye; Matt Elliott — Aye; Pam Brewer — No; Jack Conley — Aye. The motion includes direction that staff draft a transparent policy covering developer vs. individual homeowner responsibilities, cost‑recoupment mechanisms and interoperability with future capital projects.

Staff also noted timing differences: installing a private 1.5‑inch line could be completed in roughly three months, while designing and permitting a larger town‑owned main (including DEP permitting) could add four to six months. Staff said the town will return with a recommended policy and cost‑allocation options for the commission’s review.","After several options and cost estimates were discussed, the commission voted to allow a homeowner to install a 1.5‑inch line at his own expense and to direct staff to develop a formal policy for individual line‑extension requests.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6349866,"Lake Placid utility board agrees to study water route to proposed mobile‑home park",2738,114000,2852000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2235860-dac60dea0f8741e41f11cfe17f935367&start=114&end=2852","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2235860-dac60dea0f8741e41f11cfe17f935367/thumbnail_114000.jpg","/articles/6349866/Lake-Placid/Highlands-County/Florida/Lake-Placid-utility-board-agrees-to-study-water-route-to-proposed-mobilehome-park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6349866-34b27a90358b10a02daa2d004eaa3b73/orig.mp4?Expires=1775286008&Signature=eS-TD4hCurVzwpt1DRm15cOehBl4N8YF531Mu-QzRznRQv~Jnw1iDRdYq0OG3Xo1Vj4otlnCOn6hkdcwSYmFTsHeMQECaKANp6iwrOOR9VtdcUtnVZftAJ-gZ1lAUFNqSC5QSOaPFcUbfYk13oKQeoboVUrk0jGy2ILmXSGQGXNana2F-W6Z6UT2xpS~AUye7OnJeWuXrqDEwgGpia742rfCs5MOkW-d0sPUHAHjaSHTPzIPVQIlgWVF1feerBWuBnOqvgI3O66WhbZFkj7iGeZU-wOflopCIANGF3LDwGRvVZ5iTQyywxttCMV53r6QzHSoHPIaEskp5g7CKrhUsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Placid Utility Commission voted to continue studying how the town could provide water and wastewater service to a proposed mobile‑home park outside the town’s formal service area, and expressed a preference for routing a new main along State Road 27 toward State Road 70.

The item on the agenda, introduced during public comment by developer representatives and reviewed by utility staff, concerns the Caladium Estates mobile‑home project, which the developer said grew to a concept plan of about 382 units. Kevin McCarthy, project manager for the town, told commissioners the site lies outside the town’s Lake Placid Regional Plan service boundary but that “we have capacity at our water plant.”

Commissioners were asked whether the town should service both potable water and wastewater for the development, or require the developer to provide on‑site systems. The developer told the commission the park would need roughly 10,000 gallons per day of wastewater capacity and about 54,000 gallons per day of water capacity. The developer also proposed a “pioneering agreement” under which the developer would pay initial construction costs and would be allowed to recover a portion if later customers tie in.

Commissioners raised legal and planning constraints. A staff member referenced the Florida Administrative Code and explained that extending service outside a jurisdiction’s planning area can trigger comprehensive‑plan processes; the commission noted the town’s comprehensive plan update is due in 2027. Commissioners also discussed existing service by nearby Placid Lakes and an existing 10‑inch water main built to serve a camp and conference center, and they said final sizing and hydraulics would require further engineering modeling.

A motion to recommend that utilities “move forward with planning to serve the mobile home development” failed for lack of a second. Later, an alternative motion to “continue looking into it, exploring options and investigate running the line along 27 to 70” was seconded and passed by roll call: John Draper — Aye; Pam Brewer — Aye; Matt Elliott — Aye; Jack Conley — Aye. The motion directs staff to continue negotiations and planning work and to return with more detailed options and cost information for council consideration.

Commissioners repeatedly emphasized that any final commitment would depend on engineering (line sizing and pressure modeling), funding availability and whether annexation or a change to the town’s planning/service boundaries would be required. McCarthy said the town currently has no budgeted funds to construct that extension and would rely on developer contributions, grants (including upcoming DEP and federal earmark opportunities) or a future capital allocation.

Next steps spelled out by staff include additional engineering modeling, confirmation of which portions (if any) of adjacent systems like Placid Lakes might be affected, and preparing a recommendation for the Town Council. Staff also flagged regulatory steps needed if the town chooses to extend service beyond its current planning boundary.","The Lake Placid Utility Commission voted to keep exploring utility routing options — including running a main along State Road 27 to State Road 70 — after hearing a developer describe plans for a 382‑unit mobile‑home park that lies outside the town's established service area.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Utility commission recommends combining three septic‑to‑sewer projects for next DEP grant application

Commission allows homeowner to install private 1.5‑inch water line; asks staff to write policy for future requests

Lake Placid utility board agrees to study water route to proposed mobile‑home park