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Crowd's spirits rise as sewer cap drops
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET, Times Staff Writer INVERNESS -- Whenever an emotional issue brings a standing-room-only crowd to a County Commission meeting, Chairman Jim Fowler thanks the audience for coming, then draws a few laughs by saying he hopes everyone leaves happy. On Tuesday afternoon, they did. Commissioners voted 4-1 to reduce the sewer cap from 10,000 to 5,000 gallons per month for residential users of the county's utility system. The change means the county's 2,200 sewer customers will pay a higher fee per 1,000 gallons. But they will only pay for up to 5,000 gallons per month, a number residents say better reflects the amount of water they send down the drain. Homeowners complained that under the current 10,000-gallon cap, they were paying sewer fees for the water that went on their lawn and seeped back into the aquifer. The rate changes also include a 4.5 percent increase to county water fees for each of the next three years to pay for system expansions. The new rates go into effect Oct. 1. Among the arguments in favor of lowering the sewer cap: When the county took over the sewer system in Riverhaven, it kept the 6,000-gallon cap for those customers. "Where we can, I think we need to be equitable and treat everyone the same," Commissioner Vicki Phillips said. Commissioner Josh Wooten cast the lone vote against lowering the sewer cap, noting that it would actually lower the bill for high-end users like his family of six. "I know I'm going to get booed," Wooten said, as the crowed jeered on cue. "But I think we should not reward people who use more water in a shortage," he said. In other commission news: Meadowcrest moratorium enacted. Commissioners imposed a building moratorium on all vacant, developer-owned lots in Meadowcrest until developer Stan Olsen agrees to perform a traffic study at State Road 44 and Meadowcrest Boulevard. The study was required under a 1992 development agreement but was never done. The freeze affects 23 residential and 15 commercial lots owned by the developer. It goes into effect June 14. Commissioners agonized over the decision because they said Olsen is a conscientious developer who has always contributed to the community. "This would have been a three-minute item on the agenda, had it been most other people," Fowler said. Burn ban extended. Citrus County is now the driest county in the state, with a rating of 646 on the state's 800-point drought index. Fearing the dry conditions could give rise to wildfires, commissioners declared a drought emergency and extended the burn ban signed two weeks ago by Fowler. Residents who start campfires, burn yard debris or set any other fire could face penalties of up to $500 in fines and up to 60 days in jail. Residents may barbecue outdoors as long as they use a grill that contains the flames. -- Bridget Hall Grumet can be reached at 860-7303 or bhall@sptimes.com.
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