Commissioners back incremental method for water and sewer system development fees, open 45‑day comment period

Stantec Consulting presented updated calculations for Union County’s water and sewer system development fees and recommended a methodology that commissioners adopted by motion.

Consultants reviewed three statutory approaches under the Public Water and Sewer System Development Fee Act: a buy‑in (existing cost) method, a hybrid (existing plus planned improvements) method and an incremental (future expansion) method. Using county data, consultants produced example fees for a standard 3/4‑inch meter: under Stantec’s analysis, water fees would range from roughly $2,000 (buy‑in) to about $4,669 (incremental). For sewer, the study showed a hybrid estimate of about $4,936 and a full incremental result near $10,800 when conveyance and interceptor upgrades are included.

County staff and the consultant emphasized that the statute requires crediting grants and debt and that fees must be updated at least every five years. Staff also said revenues collected under different methodologies are used for different capital purposes: incremental fees are focused on expansion‑related capital and debt for expansion projects, while buy‑in or hybrid fees may also be used for rehabilitation and a broader set of capital needs.

Commissioner Brian Helms moved to adopt the incremental methodology for the updated system development fee study and to open the required 45‑day public comment period; the board approved the motion by voice vote. Stantec and county staff said they will post a final draft April 14, accept comments for 45 days, then return to the board in June for a public hearing and consideration of formal adoption.