Trustees weigh assistance program, funding options to extend sewer service

At their April 13 meeting, the Hamilton County Regional Utility District trustees discussed developing a financial assistance program to help extend sewer service to areas with septic or water shortages.

A trustee urged the board to “get that done as quickly as possible” and asked staff to coordinate with Michelle to determine whether environmental work would be required. A staff member summarized funding options, saying, “There’s RDC funds up to a $100,000, CDBG funds…Each one of those funds, if they’re from federal, the federal government have certain restrictions. ARPA restrictions aren’t the same as CDBG funds, but they’re close.” The staff member said the utility will prepare a concise summary outlining the parameters for each funding source and how a program might be structured as repayable or forgivable assistance.

Trustees focused on whether assistance could be used to extend sewer lines into areas that currently rely on septic systems. A trustee noted that even households with workable septic systems might qualify under household-area median income triggers and that water access is an additional need. On program safeguards, a trustee asked whether the utility could place a residual lien so the utility could recover funds if a property were later sold; staff confirmed a residual lien is possible.

Chair supported moving forward: “I agree because there are some projects that we need to look at,” he said. Board members did not adopt a final policy at the meeting; staff said they expect to return with a funding-parameters sheet and recommended program design for further discussion at a future meeting.

The trustees did not take a formal vote on program creation at this meeting. The board did approve routine items (minutes and claims) and then moved to the Engineer’s Report. The next regular meeting is set for May 11, 2026.