HomeMy WebLinkAbout20080213wastewaterAGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
REGULAR MEETING DATE: February 13, 2008
AGENDA ITEM TITLE: Resolution Establishing Fees for New Pitkin County Code Title 6,
Chapter 6.28, "Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems"
STAFF RESPONSIBLE: Rose Ann Sullivan, Environmental Resources Manager,
Environmental Health & Natural Resources Department
SUMMARY OF ISSUE: Adoption of new fees and fee increases for recently enacted Pitkin
County Code Title 6, Chapter 6.28, "Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems."
BACKGROUND: On January 23, 2008, the Board adopted new rules and regulations governing
the design, construction, installation, repair, modification, maintenance and use of onsite
wastewater treatment systems. These new rules and regulations will be effective on March 8,
2008. Certain permits, licenses and services to be provided under the newly-adopted rules and
regulations require establishment of new fees. Other fees currently charged by the Department of
Environmental Health & Natural Resources do not reflect the cost of actually providing the
Department's permits, licenses and related services.
KEY DISCUSSION ITEMS: The costs associated with performance of all of the Department's
permitting and licensing activities have increased since the last "major" fee increase in 2004. In
addition to increased costs associated with inflation, the following factors have contributed to the
greater amount of time staff must now spend on permit activities:
^ Onsite wastewater treatment systems have become more complex, with
advanced levels of treatment -this has increased the time staff must spend
reviewing system designs;
^ Permit applications submitted by Professional Engineers are being submitted
with more mistakes in calculations, application of the County regulations,
etc. -this has increased the amount of time staff must spend correcting
applications and reviewing resubmittals; and
^ Travel time getting to and from site inspections has increased, primarily due
to the traffic gridlock getting in and out of the City of Aspen.
As discussed in the Memorandum of Interest provided to the Board on January 29, 2008, many of
the fees that can be charged by the Environmental Health & Natural Resources Department are
either set or "capped" by state statute. Thus, the Department is not able to fully recoup the actual
costs associated with all of its permitting and licensing activities. The new fees and fee increases
the Department is proposing can only recoup the actual costs of doing business to the extent
possible under current state law.
BUDGETARY IMPACT: Establishing fees for new permits, licenses and services and
increasing existing fees (some of which have not been increased in four years) is necessary to
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cover the costs of doing business. It also reflects the Board's admonition that development must
"pay its own way." As previously noted in connection with other proposed Community
Development fee increases - a cost study will be undertaken this year to provide better
information on the actual costs associated with a range of County services. Additional changes
to fees may be proposed upon conclusion of that study.
RECOMMENDED BOCC ACTION: Approve the Resolution Establishing Fees for New
Pitkin County Code Title 6, Chapter 6.28, "Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems" and set for
2"d Reading and Public Hearing.
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ATTACHMENT
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO, ESTABLISHING FEES FOR NEW PITKIN COUNTY
CODE TITLE 6, CHAPTER 6.28, "ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS"
RESOLUTION NO. -2008
RECITALS
A. WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners acting as the local Board of Health for
Pitkin County has the authority to adopt rules and regulations governing the design, construction,
installation, repair, modification, maintenance and use of onsite wastewater treatment systems, as
well as the authority to set fees for permits and related services from tune to time; and
B. WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, after Public Hearing, adopted new
rules and regulations governing the design, construction, installation, repair, modification,
maintenance and use of onsite wastewater treatment systems on January 23, 2008; and
C. WHEREAS, the new rules and regulations will become effective on March 8, 2008; and
D. WHEREAS, certain fees currently charged by the Department of Environmental Health &
Natural Resources do not reflect the cost of actually providing the Department's permit and
license-related services; and
E. WHEREAS, certain services specified under the newly-adopted rules and regulations
require establishment of new fees; and
F. WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, acting as the local Board of Health for
Pitkin County, desires to set such fees.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Pitkin
County, Colorado that the fee schedule attached hereto as Exhibit A is hereby adopted, effective
on and as of March 8, 2008, and any and all prior Resolutions establishing fees for the specified
permits, licenses and services are hereby repealed.
INTRODUCED, FIRST READ, AND SET FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON February 13, 2008.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PUBLISHED IN THE ASPEN TIMES WEEKLY ON
February 17, 2008.
ADOPTED AFTER FINAL READING AND PUBLIC HEARING ON February 27, 2008.
PUBLISHED BY TITLE AND SHORT SUMMARY, AFTER ADOPTION, IN THE ASPEN
TIMES WEEKLY ON March 2, 2008.
ATTEST:
By:
Jeanette Jones
Deputy County Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
John Ely, County Attorney
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS:
By:
Jack Hatfield, Chairman
Date:
MANAGER APPROVAL:
Hilary Fletcher, County Manager
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EXHIBIT A
OWTS FEES
T e of Fee Fee
Application for OWTS Construction
Permit Tank Only: $500
All Others: $1,000
Note: Pursuant to an /CA with the Town of Snowmass Village, dated
August 9, 2006, an additional $175 administrative fee is to be added
to all Permits isszzed in the Town ofSnowrnass Village.
Neste: An additional $23 is also required to be charged as an
administrative fee ztnder C.R.S. ,¢25-10-107(3). $20 of this fee must
be remitted to the State.
Application for Reactivation of
Expired OWTS Construction Permit $160
Fee When "As-Built" Drawing Not
Timely Received $185
Application for OWTS Use Permit TBD in 2009, with implementation of OWTS Use
Permits.
Appeal Fee (Denial of Permit) $250
Systems Contractor License $25
Systems Contractor License Renewal $10
Systems Contractor Test $25
Systems Cleaner License $25
Systems Cleaner Renewal $10
Systems Cleaner Test $25
Systems Ins ector License $50
Systems Inspector License Renewal $25
Owner/Builder Systems Test &
Certification $50
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EH Staff Hourly Rate for Ancillary
Services $162
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