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Vero Beach adopts ordinance to incentivize STEP septic‑to‑sewer conversions
Summary
Council unanimously adopted an ordinance (new City Code sections 78-49–78-55) providing incentives for STEP systems and approved two $5,400 special-assessment liens tied to STEP installations; council also approved an interlocal collection mechanism for conversions in Indian River Shores.
The Vero Beach City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance on March 10 creating new City Code sections 78‑49 through 78‑55 to provide incentives for septic tank effluent pump (STEP) systems and amended the water and sewer rate structure to address STEP systems.
Councilmember Linda Moore moved approval and Vice Mayor Taylor Dingle seconded; the council opened and promptly closed the public hearing with no speakers and voted 5‑0 to adopt the ordinance. The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only before the vote.
As part of related business, council approved two resolutions establishing special-assessment liens of $5,400 each to fund STEP-system installations at 906 Shore Drive and 945 26th Street; each resolution passed 5‑0 after no public comment.
Background and purpose: City Manager Monte Falls and staff explained earlier in the meeting that an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement (approved on the consent agenda) gives the City a mechanism to be compensated for septic-to-sewer conversions in the Town of Indian River Shores by allowing collection through the Tax Collector instead of having the Town bill residents directly. Water and Sewer Director Rob Bolton said the arrangement formalizes a collection method so the City receives payments directly when Special Assessment liens are applied.
City Attorney John Turner described the agreement as a legal mechanism to allow the City to collect costs related to conversions.
What the ordinance does: the ordinance (as read by title) creates incentives to encourage STEP system installation and updates the City's rate structure to accommodate STEP systems. The effective date and codification were handled as part of the ordinance adoption; the minutes record the council's approval without condition.
The council approved the ordinance and the special-assessment resolutions at the March 10 meeting; staff said the Interlocal Agreement with Indian River Shores and subsequent implementation steps will be handled administratively.
