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Lake County plans June public hearing on OWTS variances; seeks to onboard OWTS staff and contract technical review
Summary
County staff said two variances related to on-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) will be considered at a public hearing in June, that the county is recruiting for an OWTS position (training planned), and that staff are exploring contracted technical-review support from a longtime consultant, David Wilson.
Lake County public-health staff informed the Board of Health on May 9 that the county expects two variances for on-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) to require public hearings in June and that staff are moving ahead with hiring and training plans for an OWTS position.
Staff said a selection committee will interview applicants for the OWTS role; applicants so far include individuals with public-health backgrounds but not necessarily prior OWTS experience, and the position has historically been an in-training role supported by state-provided training.
The meeting noted a prior plan review fee of roughly $2,000 that the county has paid for consultant reviews; staff said that level of cost is not sustainable and that they have contacted a longtime consultant, David Wilson, to determine whether he could provide short-term contract support. Wilson lives out of state and would need to set up insurance and contracting arrangements if engaged.
Staff also said they are exploring shadowing and cooperative arrangements with Summit County to provide on-the-ground training for the new hire. The state training for the OWTS position is expected to be a matter of weeks (meeting participants referenced roughly 11 weeks of training as typical), and summer provides a good season for field shadowing.
The county asked the board to consider scheduling the public hearing in June and to coordinate availability; staff will work with scheduling staff to propose specific hearing dates and complete the 15-day notice to adjacent property owners required to hold variance hearings.
