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Resident disputes sewer fee; council to research ordinance and state code
Summary
Property owner Joel Murray told the council he is being charged a sewer fee for a property that was never connected; City Attorney Amy Hugie cited a 2008 ordinance and state code that may require connection if a property is within 300 feet. The council agreed to research the historical record and return with a recommendation.
Joel Murray asked the Willard City Council on May 14 to reconsider sewer charges on his property, saying the city's sewer line was not extended to his driveway when the system was installed about 30 years ago and that connecting his house would require roughly 1,200 feet of pipe.
"I was told I would not need to connect to the sewer line because my property was too far from the highway," Murray said, asking the Council to find a fairer arrangement because he is paying for a service he cannot access. City Attorney Amy Hugie responded that a 2008 ordinance and applicable state code could require connection when a property line falls within 300 feet of the sewer line.
Council Member Rod Mund acknowledged the city's earlier decision not to extend the sewer to Murray's lot and urged caution about setting a new precedent. The Council directed staff to investigate the applicable ordinance and state code in effect when the system was installed, review the original plat and construction records, and bring additional information back at a future meeting.
The council took no vote on policy at the meeting and did not commit to waiving fees; instead it requested a factual report and legal analysis before any decision.
