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COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
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Department of Public Works
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DATE:
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July 16, 2007
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BOARD MEETING DATE:
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July 24, 2007
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SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:
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Complied with Publication Requirements
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VOTE REQUIRED:
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Majority
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TO:
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Honorable Board of Supervisors
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FROM:
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James C. Porter, Director of Public Works
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SUBJECT:
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Executive Summary - Sewer Service Charges for the Ten (10) County Governed Sewer/Sanitation Districts
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Recommendation:
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Acting as the governing board of the ten (10) County Sewer/Sanitation Districts:
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1.
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Hold a public hearing to consider comments, objections, and written protests to the sewer rates.
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2.
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After considering written and oral comments, determine whether there is a majority protest in any of the Districts.
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3.
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If there is a majority protest in any of the Districts, adopt a resolution approving sewer service charges for said District(s) based the sewer service rate in affect for 2006-07 and direct staff to recalculate the Sewer Service Charges for that District(s).
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4.
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Adopt a resolution imposing the 2007-08 Sewer Service Charges based on the proposed sewer rates for the Districts without a written majority protest.
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5.
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Direct staff to meet with a committee of property owners who represent the Homeowner Association groups in the Crystal Springs County Sanitation District during the 2007-2008 fiscal year to discuss future sewer rates.
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Vision Alignment:
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Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.
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Goal 7: Maintain and enhance the public safety for all residents and visitors.
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The sewer service charges provide funding for the Districts to operate and maintain the sewer systems, which is necessary to ensure public health and safety and compliance with environmental regulations.
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Background
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Previous Board Action
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Adopted Resolution No. 068781 on June 5, 2007 that set 9:15 A.M. on July 24, 2007, in your Chambers as the time and place for a public hearing to consider the Sewer Service Charges Report for 2007-08 for the ten (10) Sewer/Sanitation Districts.
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Directed the Director of Public Works to send notices of the proposed rates and charges to property owners in each District as required by the State Constitution.
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Discussion
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The sewer service rates were based on historic costs, collection system master plans for each District, contractual commitments for downstream transport and treatment of the sewage, and costs for developing a Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) that meets the requirements of the state and regional regulatory agencies.
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The Department utilized a public process that included mailings, evening meetings with property owners, meetings with representatives of the Homeowner Association (HOA) groups, and posted information to the Department’s Website. Notices were sent to all property owners in the ten County Sewer/Sanitation Districts informing them of the proposed rates, the reason for the rates, and the time, place, and date when your Board would consider the proposed charges.
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The Sewer Service Charges for the Crystal Springs County Sanitation District are not sufficient to support all of the District’s financial obligations.
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A resolution has been approved as to form by County Counsel, and an alternate form of resolution will be provided if there is a majority protest in a District(s), or if your Board determines to reduce sewer service rates in a District(s) where there is no majority protest.
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Fiscal Impact
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The adoption of the 2007-08 Sewer Service Charges Report will result in the charges being placed on the 2007-08 tax bill of each affected property and will be collected in the same manner as the property tax.
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There is no direct impact to the General Fund.
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