Board directs county takeover of Lake Nellie Crossing DWTS program; staff to negotiate implementation

Public Works presented three paths for Lake Nellie Crossing, a subdivision with distributed wastewater treatment systems required under its plat: (1) no county change — HOA retains ownership and contract with On‑Site, (2) county acts as collection agent (MSBU billing) while HOA/operator retain maintenance, or (3) county assumes full operation, maintenance and permitting for the neighborhood units. Staff noted the plat includes easements and allows an MSBU but that shifting to county ownership requires terminating or renegotiating private contracts and updating permits.

Commissioners debated customer protection, administrative cost recovery and long‑term maintenance risk. Supporters of county assumption said county oversight and standardized billing protect residents from HOA or developer neglect and likely produce lower, more stable long‑term rates. Opponents warned the county would become a utility‑style manager, absorbing long‑term operational responsibilities and customer service demands for modest fee revenue; staff acknowledged the program does not return administrative costs at current scale and would need fee adjustments or program scale to break even. After discussion the board voted to pursue option 3 — county takeover — and directed staff to work through contract, permit, MSBU and rate issues to implement the transition; staff noted option 2 could be a fallback if full assumption proves infeasible.

The board directed Public Works and legal staff to return with implementation steps and cost‑recovery proposals.