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Port St. Joe reports progress on sewer connection grants; grant reduces typical $6,800 charge to $500 for qualified customers
Summary
Staff said 76 customers are connected under the Beacon Hill grant and that the grant reduces the normal $6,800 connection cost to $500 for qualifying homeowners; two grants remain in closing and staff urged residents to apply while slots last.
City staff reported April 1 that work under two sewer-connection grants is ongoing and that the program has connected 76 customers under the Beacon Hill grant, with additional discounted connections available.
A staff presentation said 76 customers have already connected under the Beacon Hill grant and about 20 more applications are in process. Under the grant, the normal connection fee—impact fee, tap fee and purchase of a grinder pump—was described as $6,800; the grant reduces that to $500 for qualifying homeowners. Staff said customers still bear the cost of hiring a plumber to abandon an existing septic and make the internal tie-in, but the grant substantially reduces the city’s upfront connection cost for qualifying residents.
Staff said the two active grants will remain open for several months and encouraged residents to apply before the grants close. In addition, staff reported two other grants are being closed out: approximately $278,000 under an H&H grant and $218,000 under a Resilient Florida grant; staff said those closings are in process and not yet finalized.
Why it matters: the grants reduce the cost barrier for homeowners on septic to connect to the sewer system, are already in operation for dozens of households, and are time-limited. Staff encouraged residents who are interested to apply while slots remain.
What’s next: staff will continue to process eligible applications and expects to provide additional status updates as grant closings finalize.
