An item on today’s Lyon County commission agenda could effect Lyon County Environmental Health’s operating funds if commissioners decide to change the fees associated with county septic system inspections, health center officials said Wednesday.
Commissioner Myron VanGundy raised the discussion regarding the fee schedule, which is associated with wastewater system inspections in the county. The discussion followed a presentation at Wednesday’s county commission meeting regarding cycle inspections by Ann Mayo and Lougene Marsh, of Lyon County Health Department.
“You know where I stand on this,” VanGundy said. “I don’t object to permit fees on new (septic systems). I do have a problem with the others.”
The other fees VanGundy was referring to includes a $395 re-construction inspection fee. The fee schedule was approved in April 2005 by commissioners, Marsh said.
Marsh said this fee is to cover expenses related to the inspection of the systems. Marsh said this money goes to cover things such as the salaries associated with the inspection, the supplies needed for the inspection and the gas it takes to get to the site. If that fee is taken away, Marsh told commissioners it will leave a hole in the budget that will have to be covered somehow.
“What are you as a county commission going to do to replace the revenue?” Marsh asked. “I would strongly encourage you to leave the fee schedule as established.”
VanGundy argued that the fee is discouraging to some people who need to get their systems reconstructed. Two system replacement fees have been collected so far this year at $790.
“I think what you are trying to get here is a safe system,” VanGundy said. “Anything that goes against that is a negative.”
Discussion also centered about what to do about people who have already paid the fee. It was debated whether or not to refund these people’s money.
“That will require conversation between our organization and theirs,” Marsh said following the discussion. “Those revenues already have been expended. We don’t have those fees sitting in a bank account somewhere.”
Commissioners will address the fees during today’s county commission meeting.
Prior to the discussion about the fees, Mayo and Marsh updated commissioners on the status of cycle inspections in the county. Since the inspections started on Jan. 1, Lyon County Environmental Health conducted 248 inspections. Of these, 38 systems were determined to be failures. Vegetation was responsible for 53 percent of the failures; 18 percent was in the categories of seepage, discharge or overflow; 37 percent failed due to missing or insufficient fencing; and 21 percent failed for health reasons including lack of lock on gates. Out of the failed systems, two had to be replaced.
Mayo and Marsh also said that 395 permit fees have been issued this year for a total of $13,035; two system replacement fees collected for $790; and 17 total system replacements due to real estate transactions at $6,715. Marsh said all the money goes to paying for costs associated with inspections of the systems.
“I don’t think this is a moneymaking effort for us,” Marsh said.