Several years ago several residents in the area approached the City about connecting to the City sanitary sewer system. Some homes in the area are on septic, some parcels are undeveloped, and some parcels are connected via private side sewers.
The city proposed a funding mechanism similar to the Skyline dredging project, whereby the City funds the public improvements and the special rate district pays off the cost. The sewer extension would be constructed with sewer reserve funds and the residents in the area would pay the GFC (General Facility Charge) and a sewer surcharge when their parcels connect to the sewer line, which can be any time in the future.
The surcharge amount of $6,463.67 was calculated by dividing the Engineer’s Estimate of the project cost by the estimated number of expected hook ups based on existing zoning. Houses in the area currently on septic will not be required to connect to the sewer until their septic systems fail as determined by the Skagit County Health Department. Likewise, parcels connected through private side sewers may use that system until it fails.