Residents urge optional hookups for South Central water main; manager says staff will recommend policy changes

Several residents raised objections during public comment on Dec. 9 to plans for the South Central Water Transmission Main project, which will extend lines to the airport and nearby areas. Speakers described potential financial burdens of forced connections for homeowners with functioning wells and septic systems and asked council to make hookups optional.

Vanessa Butler, a West Road resident, told council that mandatory connection would impose significant one-time costs (she cited a typical hook-up fee estimate and plumbing costs) and an ongoing monthly bill she does not want. "Connection should be optional, not compulsory," Butler said during her remarks.

City Manager Price responded later in the meeting, clarifying staff's intent: "Staff does not intend for folks to have mandatory connection on that line." Price said staff is reviewing ordinances, policies and practices and will remove mandatory-connection language for this project specifically; staff will bring amendment recommendations to council and keep incentives for residents who want to connect while providing more favorable costs during construction.

Council members asked staff to follow up with affected property owners and to present clear written plans and communications about who will be required to connect and what incentives exist. Price said staff will bring proposed ordinance changes to council in the near future.

Next steps: staff will recommend ordinance and policy language for council consideration that clarifies mandatory vs. optional connections for the South Central Water Transmission Main project and describes incentives for voluntary hookups.