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Commission waives water and sewer connection fees for proposed mental health recovery facility
Summary
Athens-Clarke County approved a full (100%) waiver of water and wastewater connection fees for a Mental Health Recovery Facility at 240 Mitchell Bridge Road in partnership with Advantage Behavioral Health System, citing prior intergovernmental agreement authority and SPLOST project alignment.
The Athens-Clarke County Commission adopted an ordinance Jan. 6 authorizing a 100% waiver of water and wastewater connection fees for a Mental Health Recovery Facility proposed at 240 Mitchell Bridge Road, the parcel identified as Tax Parcel No. 113 019G.
The Commission found that the project aligns with SPLOST 2020 Project #28 and that Advantage Behavioral Health System — identified as a community service board under state law — is a partner for the facility. The ordinance cites code sections (5-3-76 and 5-3-79) that allow fee exemptions for projects that provide substantial community benefit, including affordable housing or services that mitigate burdens arising from mental illness.
The minutes state that, under the law in effect on Aug. 2, 2022, the Mayor and Commission could waive up to 100% of such fees; the Commission therefore authorized a full waiver. The ordinance includes directions for the Public Utilities Department to undertake actions necessary to effectuate the waiver and allows clerical corrections of scrivener’s errors.
The minutes do not list the exact dollar amount of the waived fees in the ordinance language, but an earlier agenda line references connection fees totaling $147,243; the ordinance text references the waiver authority but the minutes do not enumerate a separate reimbursement mechanism or offset.
