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Lander County adopts new Austin water and sewer fee schedule after extended debate
Summary
After a multi-hour discussion about yard-water accounts, reconnection fees and revenue impacts, Lander County commissioners adopted a resolution that folds system-obligation fees into new monthly rates and establishes a $2,500 connection fee for meters unused three years or more, with implementation staged by recorded parcel consolidations.
The Lander County Commission voted to adopt a revised connection- and monthly-fee schedule for Austin’s water and sewer systems after an extended discussion that focused on equity for yard-water (water-only) accounts, revenue impacts from eliminating separate system-obligation fees (SOF), and a new $2,500 connection fee for meters not used for three years.
Chair (identified in the transcript as S1) opened the discussion and disclosed a property interest in Austin, saying, “I am a property owner in Austin, and this will have effect on me.” Planning and legal staff and commissioners debated whether accounts used only for yard irrigation should continue to be charged a sewer fee when they are not connected to a sewer line. Staff said the proposed resolution rolls the SOF into the water rate rather than maintaining a separate line item; commissioners noted the change will reduce administrative complexity but will shift revenue responsibility onto monthly rates for active meters.
Commissioners and staff also discussed the proposal’s three-year rule for inactive meters. Staff explained the county’s approach: once parcel/unit consolidations are recorded, a three-year clock begins; any connection not used for three years after that point will be treated as a new connection and subject to a minimum $2,500 fee to recoup meter replacement costs. Aaron Martinez (S15, staff) told the board two units have already been recorded and that internal communication will notify the water department when clocks start.
The commission debated whether the flat sewer charge should be reduced for properties that use only yard irrigation and are not physically connected to sewer infrastructure. One commissioner argued these customers should not be charged the full sewer rate because "it's just strictly water" and there is no sewer hookup; staff responded that when sewer is available within a specified distance the county assumes access and cost responsibility for treatment. Commissioners asked for an implementation caveat tying fee application to consolidated maps and recording dates; the majority approved the resolution with the Chair abstaining from the final vote.
Next steps: staff will finalize the resolution language to reflect the board’s January effective-date amendment for already-recorded units and confirm the timing and notice to customers before implementation.
