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Harrison council tables proposed change to sewer pump-out responsibility after cost review
Summary
Council discussed amending Harrison City Code 7-2-14F to make property owners responsible for sewer pump-outs, heard benchmarking from peer cities, noted the city budgeted $4,000 but has exceeded $9,000 in pump-out costs, and voted to table the amendment for more information.
HARRISON — The Harrison City Council on May 14 discussed a proposed amendment to Harrison City Code 7-2-14F that would make property owners responsible for septic/sewer pump-outs and voted to table the matter until the next meeting to gather more information.
During the discussion, City Clerk Miriah Pfeiffer reported that the clerk’s benchmarking found that Dover (population ~700) contracts out sewer services and that most municipalities the clerk contacted place pump-out responsibility on homeowners. Mayor Wanda Irish noted budget figures in the meeting record: "the city had budgeted $4,000 for pump-outs but has already exceeded $9,000, with eight more to be paid for." The mayor raised questions about whether some septic tanks require more frequent pump-outs, prompting council members to request additional data before deciding policy.
Resident Kayleen Walker urged caution before changing the code, telling the council she had found materials suggesting the 1998 local improvement district (LID) previously considered covering pump-out costs. "[She] urged the Council to thoroughly review the history of the 1998 LID before voting on an amendment to the city code regarding septic pump-outs," the minutes record.
Will Butler moved to table the item until the next council meeting and Charlie Shutt seconded; the motion passed unanimously. The minutes do not record a revised timeline for staff to return with additional analysis or a staff report.
