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Hernando Today

County To Discuss $2 Million Plant Request

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: June 3, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - County commissioners today will be asked to approve a budget amendment totaling $2 million for design costs associated with the Ridge Manor Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion program.

The utilities department is requesting proposals for an engineering consultant to make design and permit changes for the plant, located on Kettering Road, east of Interstate 75.

The $2 million would be transferred out of the utility department's capital project reserve account, said Utilities Director Joseph Stapf.

The plant needs to be expanded to meet the developing needs of the residential, commercial and industrial sectors of eastern Hernando County, according to a memo from Assistant Utilities Director Dale Ravencraft. The $15- to $18-million project will be funded by connection fees, developer contributions and at least one grant.

Once completed, the plant would be capable of increasing capacity from 750,000 gallons per day to 3 million gallons per day.

Part of the expansion will include the development of reclaimed water production capabilities to offset existing and proposed uses of potable ground water for irrigation, according to Ravencraft.

Fifty percent of the cost of transmission lines, pumps and storage for design and construction of the facility's reclaimed water portion will come from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

The rest of the funding would come from Hickory Hill LLC, which in turn will receive rights to the first 2 million gallons per day of reclaimed water produced at the plant.

Also today:

• County Administrator David Hamilton will report to the board on the data collected from six community budget workshops held in June.

Citizens completed surveys asking them to rank which county services they value as priorities.

The top priority turned out to be law enforcement.

About 235 citizens attended the six meetings and 181 feedback surveys were submitted.

• A member of the Hernando Builders Association is scheduled to request a public hearing to comply with a provision of the state's budget appropriation act for fiscal year 2008-09.

That act states the county would be able to access additional housing assistance program money if the county complies with one of the following provisions:

• The county imposes no impact fees.

• No impact fees on affordable housing.

• Has enacted a reduction of impact fees of at least 25 percent for 18 months by June 30, 2008.

Charlotte County is the only county in Florida that currently meets the requirements of the act.

The meeting begins at 9 a.m. this morning at the Hernando County Government Center, 20 North Main St. in downtown Brooksville.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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