HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmail from Larry Leigh -Septic Fee Increase Menchaca, Clarissa
Subject: FW: Septic fee increase
From: Larry Leigh [mailto:llleigh@pacbell.net]
Sent: Monday, December 11, 2017 10:53 AM
To: Kirk, Maureen; Wahl, Larry
Subject: Septic fee increase
Hi Maureen and Larry,
Thank you both for calling me back right away, and listening to my concerns.
Here is a brief summary of the issues I have with the fee increase for our septic operating system:
1) The fee has more than tripled from $53 to $167. Had the fee gone up a more reasonable amount, or incrementally, I
would have assumed things cost more now, and just paid it.
2) There was no note accompanying the bill explaining the fee increase, which would have been a reasonable thing to
expect.
3)Along with this fee, an annual inspection by an independent contractor has been required as well. That would mean a
total annual cost of around $300 for both the fee and inspection. That is a lot.
4) Last year, since only one person uses the septic system, we asked the county if they could allow us a variance to
where we would only need the inspection every other year, or every third year. The people we spoke with agreed that was
a reasonable request, and this year there was no "inspection required" notice accompanying the bill. In this case, does
the $167 fee in a non-inspection year become a fee for nothing but sending out the bill and the accounting process?
Perhaps the best solution is to determine an inspection schedule for each property that requires a septic operating permit,
and only send a bill for the fee when the inspection is required, like, in our case, every other year, or every third year. Or
perhaps the Department of Environmental Health can come up with a better solution based on their working knowledge
and department protocols.
Thank you for your help with this!
--Larry Leigh
854 E. 8th St.
Chico, CA 95928
(530) 354-6622
--Ann Leigh
4107 Denver Lane
Chico, CA 95973
http://www.larryleigh.com/