2023-01-26 Approved BOCC Minutes Minutes of the Board of County Commissioners
( ') Okeechobee County, Florida
Thursday, January 26, 2023
OUA/City/County Sewer Hookup Workshop
The Board met this date in a Workshop in the Okeechobee County Historic Courthouse in the
"Judge William L. Hendry Courtroom", Room 270, at 304 NW 2nd Street in Okeechobee, Florida
at 6:00 PM.
Call to Order
Chairman David Hazellief called the meeting to order. Commissioner Frank DeCarlo offered
the invocation, after which Commissioner Bradley G. Goodbread led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
David Hazellief County Chairman Present
Terry W. Burroughs County 1st Vice-Chair Absent
Bradley G. Goodbread County 2nd Vice-Chair
— — — -+Present
Frank DeCarlo i County Commissioner_-- -- _Present
Kelly Owens County Commissioner Present
Dowling Watford City Mayor Present
Y Y
Monica Clark City Vice Mayor _ Present
Noel A. Chandler L City Council Member Present i
Robert Jerrie! City Council Member Present
David R. McAuley Ciy Council Member Present
John Creasman OUA Chair Present
Tabitha Trent OUA Vice-Chair Present
Steve Nelson OUA 2nd Vice-Chair Present
Tommy Clay OUA Board Member Present
Melanie Anderson OUA Board Member Present
Jeff Fadley OUA Board Member Absent
Glenn Sneider OUA Board Member Present
HarryMoldenhauer OUA Board Member Present
Richard Reade Deputy County Administrator Present
Garrett Olsen County Attorney Present
Thomas Hudek Deputy Clerk Present
I. Commencement
II. Agenda
1. DISCUSSION: MANDATORY CONNECTION TO WATER AND SEWER UTILITIES -
REGULATIONS
County Chairman David Hazellief addressed the Boards and initiated the discussion.
The Boards agreed that It is important that Okeechobee hook up to sewer. Established
regulations can aide in getting Okeechobee connected. The City of Okeechobee
requires mandatory hookup on new connections. None yet for older homes.
Jerald D.Bryant David Hazellief;Chairman
Clerk to the Board of County 1 of 3 Board of County Commissioners
Commissioners January 26.2023 Okeechobee County,Florida
Okeechobee County,Florida
Workshop Minutes January 26, 2023
Although connection rates have dropped, there are still those who refuse to hookup.
OUA has taken many steps to make connecting more affordable. Code
Enforcement is in the process of enforcing mandatory hookup in the County. They
are using their regular code violation process. The County is beginning enforcement
in Taylor Creek. OUA would like the City to also enforce mandatory connections on
established homes.
Requested Action: Conduct and review the current codes regarding mandatory
connection to water and sewer utilities.
11 RESULT: CONDUCTED
2. DISCUSSION: MANDATORY CONNECTION TO WATER AND SEWER UTILITIES
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Okeechobee Utility Authority Executive Director John Hayford addressed the Boards and
presented the OUA project timeline.
Requested Action: Conduct and review the water and sewer projects.
RESULT: CONDUCTED
3. DISCUSSION: MANDATORY CONNECTION TO WATER AND SEWER UTILITIES
FUNDING CONNECTIONS
The Boards discussed the issue of funding connections. There are several financing
options available. The main goal is to get septic off of Lake Okeechobee. OUA is
looking for a way to enforce mandatory hookups. The connection fee is $1,400.00.
For a new building, a water connection is about $700.00. Costs of connecting the
line from the street to the house as well as removing an existing septic tank vary
depending on the property but can be around $1,500.00 each, or even upwards of
$2,000 each. OUA would be willing to allow a discount for those who want to pay
up-front. Although an exact cost wasn't reached, it was stated that removing the
septic tank might be significantly more expensive than the hookup fee. Treasure
Island includes 2,400 connections. It was suggested OUA look into consolidating all
costs into one total per household.
Requested Action: Conduct and review funding connections for water and sewer
projects.
RESULT: CONDUCTED
Public Comments
Local citizen Raia Black addressed the Boards and discussed public understanding of
the sewer hookup. She asked if there will be a choice as to what kind of connection the
home will make at the time of connection. She also suggested that some be able to pay
through their water bill without the need of a 25 % down payment.
DeSoto County citizen and professional engineer Erik Howard addressed the Board and
stated that Lake Placid is having this same conversation. He suggested Okeechobee
Jerald D.Bryant David Hazellief,Chairman
Clerk to the Board of County 2 of 3 Board of County Commissioners
Commissioners January 26.2023 Okeechobee County.Florida
Okeechobee County,Florida
Workshop Minutes January 26, 2023
get with other municipalities to determine how to move forward. He also discussed how
some counties consolidate all the costs and finance it over 20 or 30 years in the utility
bills. He also gave engineering advice for when OUA builds their pumps.
III. Adjournment
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There being no further business to come before the Workshop attendees, Okeechobee
County Board of County Commissioners Chairman David Hazellief adjourned the Workshop
of the Board of County Commissioners, the City of Okeechobee. and Okeechobee Utility
Authority at 7:27 PM.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
2
By) z---"/
v. 1v)d Hazelf rural
ATTEST:
Jerald D. Bryant
Clerk of the Circuit Court& Comptroller
By: �`/,� 7�Gc4s4 `• �/• (SEAL)
7 zonzas Nude/:. Dcput' Clerk
Approved: 02/5,/a0a 3
Jerald D. IfI\ant David I lat.11ief,Chairman
Clerk to the Board of County 3 of3 Board of County Commissioners
Connnis,iouerN January 26.2023 ()keechuhe County,Florida
()kcechobee County.Florida