Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County staff proposes requiring county buildings connect to nearby water/sewer lines; commission advances amendment to hearing
Summary
The Department of Public Works proposed a text amendment to require county‑owned facilities within 300 feet of public water or sewer lines to connect to those systems; commissioners directed staff to send the amendment to agencies for review, add language preserving irrigation wells for agricultural use, and schedule a May 21, 2025 public hearing (motion passed 7‑0).
James Ritter, deputy director, presented a Department of Public Works text amendment to the Water and Sewer comprehensive plan that would require county‑owned facilities located within 300 feet of public water or sewer lines to connect to the system. Ritter said the change aims to reduce reliance on well and septic systems, promote environmental protection and use existing infrastructure more efficiently.
Ritter told the commission no existing county facilities would be immediately affected but future projects could be required to connect. Commissioners asked whether irrigation wells would be forced to close; Ritter replied, "We would not direct for drinking water to be used for irrigation. That would not be a goal." A motion to send the amendment to agencies for review, add language that preserves non‑potable irrigation wells for agricultural use, and schedule a May 21, 2025 public hearing was seconded and passed; the chair announced the vote "Passes 7 to 0."
