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Harrison City Council tables proposed change to sewer pump-out responsibility
Summary
The Harrison City Council voted unanimously to table a proposed amendment to city code that would make property owners responsible for septic pump-outs, after requests for more information about a 1998 LID, comparative city data and the city’s rising pump-out costs.
The Harrison City Council on May 14 unanimously voted to table a proposed amendment to Harrison City Code 7-2-14F that would shift responsibility for septic pump-outs from the city to property owners.
Councilmember Will Butler made the motion to table and Charlie Shutt seconded; the motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. The item was discussed under old business after public commenters urged the council to review the history of the 1998 Local Improvement District (LID) before any change.
City Clerk Miriah Pfeiffer reported a short study of peer cities that found Dover—about 700 residents—contracts sewer services and charges roughly $20 more than Harrison. Clerk Pfeiffer said most cities contacted assign pump-out responsibility to homeowners. Mayor Wanda Irish told the council the city had budgeted $4,000 for pump-outs this year but has already exceeded $9,000 and still has eight pump-outs remaining to be paid, prompting requests for more information about whether particular septic systems require more frequent service.
Council members asked staff to provide additional data to clarify historic LID obligations, the frequency of required pump-outs for problem systems, and the fiscal impact of shifting costs to property owners. The council set the item for further consideration at a future meeting rather than taking immediate action.
