Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Code topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council directs ordinance draft to waive connection fee for existing homes that connect within one year
Summary
Council approved sending a draft amendment to Preston Municipal Code 13.06.013 to change a 'shall connect' requirement to a 'may connect' standard for existing structures and to waive the city's connection fee if owners connect within 365 days; staff will return the formal ordinance for adoption.
Council members discussed proposed language to amend Preston Municipal Code 13.06.013 so that existing structures reached by new city sewer would not automatically be forced to connect immediately. Under the draft the city would change the current 'shall' requirement to a 'may' standard for pre‑existing buildings and offer a one‑year window during which the city's standard connection fee would be waived if owners choose to connect.
City counsel (Lyle Fuller) told the council the wording change is largely procedural and does not affect new construction (which will still be required to hook up). Council directed staff to convert the draft into formal ordinance language and bring it back for approval at the next meeting; during discussion members noted the current connection fee is $7,500 and may increase in future budgets, reinforcing the incentive to connect within the waiver window.
