Information about potential changes to sewer and water service in the Sheridan area will be provided as part of the meeting of the Sheridan Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) on Wed., March 11, 2009, at 7 p.m. The MAC meets at Stuart Hall, 6005 Camp Far West Road.
The Sheridan Sewer, Water and Lighting County Service Area (CSA) has faced increasing financial and regulatory obligations since the 1980s. Several financial proposals, including sewer and water fee increases, are now being considered by Placer County to provide the CSA with funding to meet those obligations and to provide the CSA with an ongoing source of revenue.
There is currently a building permit moratorium in the Sheridan community due to the lack of capacity in both the sewer and water system. To allow new utility connections in the Sheridan area, the CSA will need to expand the community’s treated sewage spray field and improve the community’s water supply and distribution system. The financial proposals being considered are intended to fund and construct those improvements and to allow the building permit moratorium to be lifted. The proposed changes are also intended to eliminate past debts and enable the CSA to move forward with a more stable financial base.
The estimated cost of planned capital improvements is $3.2 million. To make the improvements, the CSA has received about $2 million in state grants, and is seeking another $700,000 from a federal grant program. The Placer County Board of Supervisors also has tentatively approved a contribution of $2.36 million to the CSA to forgive existing loans, provide matching funds for the grants and provide operating revenue for the next two years.
The federal grant and the county contribution are both contingent upon approval of sewer and water service fee increases sufficient to ensure coverage of ongoing operating costs. The proposed fee increases would raise the charge for sewer and unlimited water services to a typical single family residence from $79.08 to $102.92 a month next year, $123.50 the following year and $142.03 in subsequent years.
There are several ways to learn more about the funding plan, proposed fee increases, planned improvements, the existing building permit moratorium, and related matters. These include reading the information that residents will receive by mail from Placer County, attending the workshop at the MAC meeting and visiting the county's online Proposed Sewer Fee Increase website. Comments, questions or suggestions may be emailed to sewer@placer.ca.gov.
The Placer County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold a public hearing on this issue on Tue., May 12, 2009 at 11 a.m. in the County Administrative Center, 175 Fulweiler Ave. in Auburn. The funding plan and proposed fee increases will be considered at that time.
“As state regulation increases, the county is seeking innovative, cost-effective, long term solutions for Sheridan’s water and sewer issues,” said Supervisor Robert Weygandt. “The March MAC meeting will provide residents an opportunity to receive information, ask questions, or provide input.”