Levy County Journal AROUND LEVY COUNTY June 5, 2008 3 City plans to make developers pay for utility line extensions By Terry Witt Staff Writer When the Chiefland Regional Shopping Center was built years ago, the city agreed to pay for water and sewer line extensions to the development at city expense. The idea was to expand the tax base by encouraging new development. The current Chiefland City Commission wants to take a different approach by requiring subdivisions and shopping centers to hook to city water and sewer at their own expense rather than having the existing taxpayers foot the bill. An ordinance requiring developments to pay for their extensions is being proposed by the city commission, but the ordinance was tabled last week when commissioners said they were uncomfortable with the language. They also wanted city staff to clarify a definition. "What we're trying to do is make development pay the cost of city water and sewer hooking to it," said Hartzog. "We don't want existing customers to foot the bill." Hartzog said the ordinance had been ready for a first reading at last week's meeting. The first reading is part of the adoption process, but the ordinance will have to be re-advertised for consideration by the board later. The city is making one exception to its developer- pays-all approach. The city has applied for a state economic development grant to extend city utilities to the new Tri-County Hospital when the facility is constructed. The owner of the hospital is expected to c receiving city utilities. own water and sewer line a residential-2 zone, which is 10,000 square feet. Pitts is planning on building a small home on the property to blend with other homes in the area. Hartzog said the home will have to be small enough to meet the city's requirements for setbacks. E The board adopted the city's five-year plan for capital improvements. In 2009, proposed projects include a $200,000 skateboard park at Delma Locke Community Center funded by impact fees; $92,000 in restrooms at Strickland Park funded by impact fees; $25,000 to reroof the library, Tommy Usher Community Center and sewer plant building with the money coming from property tax revenue in the general fund; $150,000 to provide access to the industrial park using impact fees; $200,000 for lighting two softball fields at Strickland Park using impact fees; $132,000 to buy Chiefland City commissioners were advised of the upcoming city election schedule last week. The election is set for Tuesday, Aug. 5, with Mayor Teal Pomeroy in Group 2 and. Teresa Barron in Group 4 up for re-election. A qualifying week for the two city commission seats is Monday June 16 through Friday June 20 from 8 a.m. 4:30 p.m. The election qualifyiing fee is $448. Candidates and voters must reside within the city limits of Chiefland and must be registered in Precinct 13 or Precinct 16. reate jobs in exchange for On an unrelated subject, commissioners voted to annex a one-acre piece of property into the city and not require the owners, Norman and Anita Scoggins, to give up 10-feet of right-of-way along County Road 320 for future widening. The planning board had recommended deeding 10 feet to the county for future widening. Commissioners said it wasn't their job to require property owners to give up land for a future county road widening projects. The property is directly across the street from the future hospital. The city has granted a request by the Division of Forestry-Andrews Nursery to connect city water, at state expense, to the nursery by June 30. The city will provide five meters. The nursery has three homes on site. Hartzog presented the agenda item * The board agreed the 33-acre Drummond well field; $175,000 to purchase a SCADA computer system with water and sewer revenues; and $75,000 to construct roofs over. the sewer treatment plant sludge budgets using sewer revenue. The projects above are not listed in order or ranked. P Commissioners approved resolution requesting a city utility ,easement across the Nature Coast Trail. Before the city's involuntary annexation of an area known as North Chiefland in 2006, the city adopted an urban services plan showing city water lines extending into the area. City staff has determined the most cost effective route for the water lines will be to cross the trail at NW 27 Ave. The water line can service several businesses and residences, according to city staff, and "lead the way for future growth." The state requires a resolution requesting the easement. to allow staff to advertise for two preliminary budget meetings on July 14 and July 28 for the purpose of discussing the proposed budget for 2008-09. Commissioners adopted new rules for the Tommy Usher Community Center, among them a prohibition on red or purple Kool- Aid, or juice, which can cause permanent stains. The city has installed tile in 70 percent of the building, but some carpeting remains near the stage area for acoustics. Icer L. Roberts and Gene Pollock were approved as alternate members of the city's planning board. Pollock served for 10 years on the Levy County Planning Commission and was chairman for four years. His letter to the city said he made significant contributions to rewriting the county's comprehensive plan and land development regulations. The alternative city planning board members are expected to for information only. attend board meetings and take the place of full-time board members who are absent. 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