Board approves Crystal Shores/Dixie Shores sewer assessment; residents told they may defer connection

The Citrus County Board on July 29 approved assessments tied to newly completed wastewater lines in the Crystal Shores and Dixie Shores communities. County growth-management staff said the project originally cost about $1.6 million, but grant funding reduced the county's remaining assessment total to about $389,000. The assessment affects 199 assessment units; owners can pay an upfront equal share estimated at $2,091 per lot or elect a 10-year tax-roll financing option that would raise the total paid per lot, after fees and interest, to approximately $2,984. Several residents attended the hearing. Michael Taylor of Dixie Shores told the board he felt the project had been "forced on us" and worried his household costs would rise because of additional utility charges and the cost of installing a pump for a force-main connection. Commissioner Jeff Kennard, a Dixie Shores resident, explained that the county had worked to secure grant funding that reduced the assessment and that because the community uses pressure (force-main) sewer, residents are not compelled to connect immediately; however, he noted that when drain fields fail, health-department permitting may favor connection to available sewer service. County staff reported that roughly 10 properties had already connected or were in permit review. Commissioners accepted the assessment items for H2 by a 5-0 vote. What owners should know: The assessment itself is levied on properties abutting the new infrastructure; the pressure (force) sewer requires some homeowners to install grinder/lift equipment and electrical connections to tie in when they choose to connect. County staff said assessed parcels will not be billed regular monthly sewer charges until they physically connect to the system.