Owasso staff propose per‑acre assessment of $6,781.70 to recover 2023 gravity sanitary sewer extension costs

City staff presented a proposal to establish a mandatory assessment fee for properties eligible to connect to the Morrow Place gravity sanitary sewer extension.

Roger Stevens said the improvement covers an assessment area of 228.24 acres. Construction of the sewer improvements was completed and accepted by the Owasso Public Works Authority in June 2025 at a total contract amount of $1,547,872. Using those figures, staff calculated an assessment fee of $6,781.70 per acre to recover the project cost across the assessment area.

Stevens said payment of the assessment fee would be mandatory for properties within the assessment area and would be due upon approval of a final plat or anytime capacity is utilized (for example, if a property outside the area ties into the line). He explained the assessment area consists of land that can be served by a gravity connection; properties beyond that area would require pump stations and other infrastructure at the developer’s cost in addition to any per‑acre assessment.

Councilors asked clarifying questions about who would pay for lift stations and how maintenance responsibility is determined; staff said lift stations that serve more than a defined threshold are typically public infrastructure and the developer would pay installation costs up front, with long‑term ownership and maintenance addressed by code and DEQ rules.

Staff presented the proposed assessment calculation and said they would bring a draft resolution to establish the mandatory assessment fee for council consideration.