raftelis - News - The Coastal Star2024-03-28T09:48:38Zhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/raftelisOcean Ridge: Septic-to-sewer study funds take backseat to budget woeshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/ocean-ridge-septic-to-sewer-study-funds-take-backseat-to-budget-w2020-07-01T15:26:14.000Z2020-07-01T15:26:14.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p><strong>By Rich Pollack</strong></p>
<p>With the town’s budget still in flux, Ocean Ridge’s septic-to-sewer citizens advisory committee has agreed to hold off on requesting funds for a cost analysis from an outside firm. <br /> Voting unanimously, the five-member committee, charged with studying the feasibility of replacing septic systems with a sewer system, agreed that it would be premature to request funding for a study to be conducted by Raftelis Financial Consultants.<br /> The committee did, however, agree to seek $6,000 in the town’s upcoming budget for assistance on uncovering possible grant opportunities that could help cover some of the initial costs as well as $3,000 for engineering costs and $1,000 for legal fees. <br /> In addition, the committee asked the Town Commission to allow funds coming to the community from the countywide 1-cent infrastructure sales tax to stay earmarked for the septic-to-sewer conversion, should the town decide to go forward with such a project. <br /> That fund has close to $400,000, according to Town Manager Tracey Stevens, and it initially was expected to grow to about $1 million during its 10-year lifespan. <br /> But that is likely to change.<br /> “We have seen a sharp decrease in sales tax revenue due to COVID-19, so that number is expected now to be lower,” Stevens said. <br /> An expected shortfall in the town’s overall revenue for the coming year was one of the factors behind the committee’s decision to delay going forward with a financial analysis, which would include a rate study and identifying funding sources. <br /> In a memo to members of the committee, Stevens said that the town is likely facing an $800,000 budget shortfall in the coming fiscal year. She later told the committee that the cost for the financial study by Raftelis was estimated to be around $30,000. <br /> Committee members, citing the shortfall, agreed that there was no need to rush for the financial study.<br /> “I see little value in using money for Raftelis,” committee Chairman Neil Hennigan said. “I don’t think anything they’re going to give us would be urgent.” <br /> The committee, which has not yet made a recommendation on whether to proceed with a septic-to-sewer conversion, agreed to wait for additional direction from the commission before meeting again in August.</p></div>