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Stephens City Council schedules Jan. 7 public hearing on higher water and sewer availability fees; sets Dec. 27 timing for sewer rehab contract selection
Summary
At its Dec. 3 meeting the Stephens City Town Council voted to advertise a Jan. 7, 2025 public hearing on proposed increases to water and sewer availability fees, reappointed four Historic Preservation Commission members, and set Dec. 27 as the date to accept and execute a contractor selection for a sewer main rehabilitation program.
Vice‑Mayor Linden A. Fravel called the Stephens City Town Council to order on Dec. 3, 2024, and the council approved a motion to advertise a public hearing on proposed updates to the Town Fee Schedule, including increases to water and sewer availability and tap fees, to be held at the council's Jan. 7, 2025 meeting.
"Our current water availability and tap fee is $5,605.00," Vice‑Mayor Linden A. Fravel told the council as he outlined the proposed changes, saying the updated fees “will get us back on track, as we have been dangerously close to breaking even.” The proposal presented by the Finance Committee would raise the water availability/tap fee to $17,000 and increase the sewer availability/tap fee from $12,434.00 to $13,000. Council voted to advertise the hearing; the motion carried with five ayes and one member absent.
The council also moved forward on infrastructure planning. On a motion by Councilwoman Mariah Smith, the council approved a plan to accept and execute the selection of a contract for a sewer main rehabilitation program on Dec. 27 at 5:15 p.m.; council materials indicate bids are due Dec. 27 and that any selected contract must be executed by Dec. 30. The motion carried with the same five‑aye vote and one absence.
Town Attorney Dave Griffin, speaking on behalf of Town Manager Mike Majher, summarized other capital and operational items planned or underway: USDA bond counsel has issued closing instructions for a future financing step and staff will issue an RFP in January; the sidewalk replacement project is complete for the season; a transfer and boundary adjustment for AmeriGas property has been completed with plans for that parcel to be a future Public Works site; and a water valve repair on Fairfax Street and a sewer main repair between Nichols Apartments and Clem’s Garage are scheduled to begin soon.
Council also reappointed four members to the Historic Preservation Commission. On a motion by Councilwoman Tina Stevens, Yaron Linett, Scott Schwarz, Byron Smith and Dee Williams were reappointed to staggered terms; that motion passed with the same five ayes and one absence.
Other routine reports included a Treasurer’s report from Town Treasurer Steve Rickards, who said November had been "a robust month" and reminded residents that water bills are due the following Monday and tax bills are due Dec. 15. Interim Town Clerk Cailee Anderson reported the new online payment portal, launched in November, processed 458 transactions totaling $87,803.70.
Public works matters drew discussion but no formal action: Councilwoman Mariah Smith said residents in the Valley View subdivision have complained about excessive streetlights while other roads such as Tigney Drive remain underlit; the committee met with D.R. Horton about traffic needs at West Wind but an adjusted plan has not yet been resubmitted. Chief Bill Copp and Fire Chief T. Vaught delivered routine public safety updates and described upcoming community events including Breakfast with Santa and the Santa Run.
There were no public comments, and the meeting adjourned at 6:32 p.m. The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2025, when the advertised public hearings will be heard.
