Council hears proposal for Bellefontaine East tap‑in district, $7,500 connection fee proposed

City staff presented legislation to authorize the proposed Bellefontaine East tap‑in district, which would allow a $7,500 connection fee for property owners who later choose to connect to an extended public water line. Staff told council the proposed district would not extend down to Fishberg because water service already exists there.

Councilmembers asked about the schedule and funding for the next phase to extend water to New Carlisle Pike (phase 4). Staff said no current funding is secured for phase 4 but that the city intends to seek MBPRC and OPWC funds in future cycles and will press ODOT on related alignment work. Staff has begun outreach, mailing letters to property owners on Battelle and Womack to gauge interest.

Council also discussed whether a surcharge or premium should be charged to new customers who had not previously paid into the municipal water system; staff said such rate structures would be a separate piece of legislation and could be revisited when project costs and the number of customers are known. Annexation preference for some outside customers was also discussed; staff noted some precedent exists for premium charges in other districts.

Staff said the ordinance is intended to set a uniform tap fee across a wider east‑side district rather than handling the matter piecemeal street by street. Council did not adopt a rate change at the work session; staff said targeted rate or district changes would return if council desires once costs and customer interest are defined.