AGENDA DATE: 9/18/2024
TITLE:
Title
Septic to Sewer Program Update
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Receive an update on the Septic to Sewer Program and request reallocation of remaining programmatic funds.
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Dimock, Bowman
PRESENTER (S): Kaki Dimock, Andy Bowman
LEGAL REVIEW: Not Required
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: As part of the FY 23 Adopted Budget, the Board of Supervisors authorized $1,000,000 to develop a program to replace failing septic systems in the County with sewer hook-ups. A Request for Proposals was issued and a Memoranda of Agreement established with Albemarle Housing Improvement Program (AHIP) on January 10, 2023 for a period of performance through December 1, 2024. The Septic to Sewer program’s goals were to support residents who have failing septic systems or systems that are at eminent danger of failing, protect the general public from environmental harm, improve wastewater management, and preserve and improve the environment for fish and wildlife quality. Eligibility was based on the following criteria: households were within the Albemarle County Service Authority (ASCA) district and did not already have a sewer account, households were within reasonable proximity to existing ACSA services, household income was below 80% Area Median Income (AMI), the property was owner-occupied, proximity to an environmental impact such as a playground or endangered waterway, and the existing septic was failing or substandard. On September 6, 2023 the Board re-appropriated these funds into FY24.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Safety and Well-being: Nurture a safe and healthy community
DISCUSSION: AHIP staff sent a notice of potential eligibility to over 250 households within the ACSA service district that did not have sewer accounts to provide information on the Septic to Sewer program and encourage residents to reach out for additional information. Since the return of the signed contract on January 10, 2023, County staff have processed four invoices for work completed totaling $313,702.13 for septic to sewer conversions for five households. AHIP reports that there are an additional four households in the contract development phase; these conversions are estimated at an addition $186,297.87 for a total of $500,000 of the initial appropriation of $1,000,000. As interest appeared low in this program, both AHIP and County staff were doubtful that the remaining balance of $500,000 in these funds would be expended on this service by December 1, 2024.
Staff recommends redistributing the remaining $500,000 to the projects and services listed below. (This redistribution reflects an interest in supporting the most vulnerable with these one-time funds with a focus on people experiencing extreme housing instability.)
a) $150,000 for AHIP to serve three additional households with a septic to sewer conversion,
b) $80,000 to continue housing navigation services provided by the Financial Opportunities Center for County residents,
c) $170,000 for the Albemarle County Emergency Relief Program providing funds to residents with an eviction or shut-off notice, and
d) $100,000 to a homelessness service contingency account to support efforts to develop a low-barrier year-round shelter.
BUDGET IMPACT: These funds have already been appropriated and will have no immediate impact on the budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Board approve the proposed redistribution of these previously appropriated funds.
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