Charlotte County Utilities
Expansion Projects - Municipal Service Benefit Units
Rotonda Sands and Meadows wastewater expansion MSBUs
What are the Rotonda Sands/Rotonda Meadows Wastewater Expansion MSBUs? In 2006, the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved two Municipal Service Benefit Units (MSBUs) for wastewater expansion in Rotonda Sands and Rotonda Meadows.
What is the status of this project? Consultant Boyle Engineering was selected to complete the final design, which is currently under review by County staff and should be approved before the end of 2007. At that time, the County will request construction bids for installation of the infrastructure. The projects are expected to be completed in early 2009, though these dates are subject to change based on unforeseen circumstances.
What are the costs associated with the MSBUs? Costs associated with the MSBUs include design, engineering, surveying, construction, land purchases if necessary, interest on borrowing and other indirect costs.
The current cost to individual property owners is $225.94 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU), per year for 20 years for Rotonda Sands and $223.57 per ERU, per year for Rotonda Meadows. Each year, the MSBU will be reconciled and adjustments to the rate will be computed. The assessment cannot be raised without public notification and BCC approval.
In the second year of the assessment and beyond, property owners will have the option of paying the remaining amount in full and without interest on loans not yet taken. Click here f or the current pre-payment amount on a property.
What other costs can I expect? At the time of connection, a dditional costs associated with the installation of, or conversion to, an LPS system, as well as CCU connection fees, will be the responsibility of the property owner.
What if I’m building/rebuilding a home now? If you plan to build before the expansion is complete, you may wish to apply for a variance with the Charlotte County Environmental Health Department, which, if granted, would allow you to design your home with a standard septic system, rather than the more expensive aerobic treatment unit (ATU). This would also allow you to obtain a building permit and proceed with construction while the wastewater expansion is underway. If the expansion is completed prior to completion of your building project, you would be allowed to hook up to the collection system at that time and avoid the additional expense of a septic installation.
To apply for a variance, please contact the Environmental Health Department at 18500 Murdock Circle, Room 203, Port Charlotte, FL 33948; 941.743.1266 (phone); 941.743.1533 (fax). Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You may be required to complete forms for both State and County variances, and there is a $150 application fee for residential development ($200 for commercial).
What is a Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU)?
MSBUs are created by County ordinance as a funding mechanism to provide specific services to defined areas. The major benefit is that costs for services within a specific area are evenly assessed on each property within the unit. In this case, MSBUs were created specifically to fund the installation of wastewater infrastructure in Rotonda Sands and Rotonda Meadows.
In an MSBU, revenue is derived from non-ad valorem assessments (literally, “no value,” meaning the assessment is not based on the value of the individual properties). This assessment is certified to the tax collector for collection and appears on your tax bill as a separate line item. All monies collected within a specific MSBU must be spent within that MSBU. Funds cannot be transferred or spent on a different area.
The annual cost of the projects in each MSBU is divided by the total number of ERUs within that MSBU, resulting in an assessment per ERU. ERUs may be calculated based on front footage, lots, acreage or value. The method used for each MSBU is defined in its resolution. Click here for more information on MSBUs.
Why Low Pressure Sewer (LPS)?
Charlotte County selected LPS over gravity sewer for Rotonda Sands and Meadows in an effort to reduce costs. Because each LPS unit includes its own small pump, this minimizes the number of large lift stations required, reducing overall project costs. As part of the Rotonda Sands and Meadows wastewater expansions, the County will install all necessary wastewater collection infrastructures, up to the connection point for each property. Each property owner will be responsible for the installation of or conversion to an individual LPS system, which CCU will maintain as part of its wastewater system. Among other requirements, the LPS tank must be located in the front of the house, opposite the driveway and at least five feet from the house.
For new construction, CCU will provide a list of approved LPS contractors and will inspect and approve all work once the installation is complete. For developed properties, CCU will work with homeowners to convert the existing septic system to an LPS system. Once the homeowner pays the CCU wastewater connection fees, CCU staff will make an appointment to inspect the existing septic system. The actual conversion should take no more than a few hours and there should be no system downtime unless the existing tank requires replacement. As part of the retrofit, the homeowner will also be responsible for contracting an electrician to create a dedicated electrical circuit for the LPS control panel.
Click here for more information on low pressure sewer.
For more information: If you have further questions about the Rotonda Sands and Rotonda Meadows wastewater expansions, please contact Leigh Sprimont, CCU Community Relations Manager, at 941.764.4520 or via e-mail at Leigh.Sprimont@CharlotteFL.com.
