County Code - Sec 22

ARTICLE V. PUBLIC WATER CONNECTIONS AND CONNECTION FEES

Section 22-97. Connection requirements, timing, and fees.

(a) Any person desiring to connect to facilities of the county shall pay the fees set forth in this article prior to making connection to such facilities. Connection to any public water system shall be voluntary for all premises qualifying under Section 22-81(b) of this chapter, and mandatory for all others.

(b) Where the county currently owns the public water system or the governing body on or after January 1, 1988, has completed the extension of, or participated financially in the extension of, public water to areas of the county which have not previously been served, the owner of any premises desiring to be served shall pay a connection fee as set forth in Section 22-99 of this chapter. If paid within ninety (90) days of notification that service exists the fee shall be the initial fee set forth in Section 22-99. After such time the regular connection fee shall apply except to those connections to facilities of the county which were completed after January 1, 1988, and prior to January 1, 1989, and in those cases the initial connection fee shall continue to be charged.

(c) On or after January 1, 1996, when a developer extends facilities owned by the county or, facilities of the county, which facilities of the county were completed after January 1, 1988, and are no longer owned by the county, the owner of any premises desiring to be served shall pay a system facility charge as set forth in Section 22-99 of this chapter. If paid within ninety (90) days of notification that service exists, the fee shall be the initial fee set forth in Section 22-99. After such time the regular fee shall apply.

(d) Where a developer constructs a public pump and well system pursuant to Section 22-89, the developer shall pay to the county at the time of dedication an initial system facility charge as set forth in Section 22-99 for each proposed connection to the system.

(e) Where the county purchases or acquires an existing water system after January 1, 1996, and the system is to be upgraded to meet county standards, an initial connection fee shall be paid by all existing users within ninety (90) days of the completion of the improvements. Connections made beyond ninety (90) days shall pay the regular connection fee. For existing users, the county will pay all charges required by the water purveyor if the water purveyor is other than the county. Service charges for water usage shall be the responsibility of the user.

(f) In all circumstances not specifically covered by this section, or other written agreements, no county connection fees will be imposed.

(g) Once an initial connection fee is paid pursuant to this section for any premises, the water connection paid for may be upgraded by paying the difference between the initial fee paid and the initial connection fee required at the time of the upgrade.