HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/17/2002, C4 - ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE VOLUNTARY SERVICE LATERAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM council "'° Dec.Dec17 2002
agenda uepont °®N
C I T Y OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
FROM: John Moss,Utilities Direct
Prepared By: David Hix,Wastewater Di sion Manager
SUBJECT: ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE VOLUNTARY SERVICE
LATERAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM
CAO RECOMMENDATION
1. Approve an additional $75,000 for increased homeowner reimbursements for completed sewer
lateral replacements; and
2. Approve the increased 2002-03 budget to be funded by a transfer from the sewer fund general
carry over.
DISCUSSION
On September 3, 2002, City Council approved modifications to the City's Voluntary Sewer
Lateral Investigation and Rehabilitation Program (Lateral Program). One these modifications
included increasing the maximum reimbursement for replacement of an entire lateral from
$1,000 to $2,000. This allowed homeowners to request an additional $1,000 in reimbursements
for the replacement of their sewer lateral from their home to the City mainline located in the
street. Since adoption of the program modifications, staff has seen a dramatic increase in
complete lateral replacements.
During the September 3 presentation, staff did not request additional funding because it was
unknown if impacts from the additional reimbursements would be felt immediately. Staff
believed a request for additional funding might be necessary during the mid-year budget process
at the earliest. Since adoption of the lateral program's modifications, the rate of complete lateral
replacements has increased and subsequently the approved annual funding of$75,000 has been
exhausted.
Since adoption of the new program modifications many homeowners have enthusiastically opted
to take full advantage of the increased reimbursement and replace their entire lateral.. Interest in
the program continues to be very strong with complete lateral replacements becoming more
customary.
This funding request will double the Lateral Program's funding from $75,000 to $150,000 for the
2002-03 FY. Staff will likely recommend continuance of this new level of funding in the 2003-
05 Capital Improvement Plan.
Council Agenda Report—Additional Funding for Lateral Program
Page 2
FISCAL IMPACT
Additional funding for this program will cost $75,000, bringing the total annual cost of the sewer
lateral replacement program to $150,000. This level of funding will be requested in the 2003-05
Capital Improvement Plan. For this fiscal year,the additional funding is proposed to come from the
Sewer Fund's general carryover,which has an available balance of$279,000.