Preston council adopts ordinance requiring sewer connection within 100 feet; fee waiver if connected within one year

The Preston City Council adopted Ordinance 2025-4, amending Title 13, Chapter 6 of the municipal code to require property owners to connect to the city sanitary sewer if a sewer main becomes available within 100 feet of their property and they receive notice from the city. The ordinance also waives the sewer connection fee for owners who connect within 365 days of receiving notice and makes violations an infraction.

Councilman Terry Larson introduced the ordinance and moved its adoption; Councilman Chris Larson seconded. City Clerk Linda Aycock read the ordinance in summary to the council before the vote. On a roll-call the council recorded unanimous approval: Todd Thomas, Terry Larson, Brent Dodge, Gary Larson and Chris Larson all voted “aye.”

The ordinance text read in summary states that a property owner may connect at the owner’s expense if the city sewer becomes available within 100 feet and that connecting within 365 days of notice will waive the sewer connection fee. The summary also specifies that violation of the section is an infraction, and the ordinance provides for publication by summary and an effective date.

Council discussion before the reading emphasized the ordinance’s intent to clarify connection responsibilities and to remove uncertainty for property owners when the sewer becomes available. City staff said the change was drafted by council members and staff and that the council would approve the final contract and implementation details in subsequent administrative steps.

The ordinance was adopted during the regular meeting after the clerk’s summary reading and roll-call vote. The council did not call for amendments during the reading and did not specify an effective-on date beyond the ordinance language read in summary.