AG 2002 10 21 (Regular) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

demonstrate to the financial market that they are willing to generate the revenues to cover the debt for these improvements and those needed for the future, otherwise the improvements either cannot be made and severe restrictions will eo, ntinue or borrowing rates will be so high increases will be necessary regardless. The wastewater budget is also being dramatically impacted by reduced revenues due to the drought and increased challenges due to residential development. The wastewater budget has been extremely lean for the past three years despite growth pressures. The'average 15% increase in residential wastewater rates is needed to fund continued maintenance of the wastewater system to protect the environment and to minimize system infiltration as identified in the Wo'olpert study. It will also be needed to fund some strategic system expansion to meet past obligations and to avoid the installation of environmentally unsound package treatment plants in areas of the County that have obtained development approvals but have no public utilities available. While Concord has the expertise to handle development standards and infrastructtire planning, it lacks control over its ability to generate revenues from water and wastewater that puts the burden of the cost on those needing the services. The formulas that are used to fund WSACC services, combined with the rate restrictions in the agreement between Cabarrus County and. Concord when Concord became the regional water provider are no longer equitable. This is because the high rate of residential growth was not anticipated at the time these agreements were reached and the shift away from a textile based economy. These formulas and restrictions need to be changed or Concord needs significant assistance from Cabarrus County to fund system growth in the rural areas. In the meantime, staff is recommending ways for development outside the city limits to more equitably pay for the costs that are being generated by that growth. These are reflected in the recommendations for increases in fees charged for new development. Solid Waste Collection and Recycling No major changes have been recommended in this area, as funding is not available due to budget constraints. However, local governments in the area cannot, hide from the solid waste issue. The growth in our population has had an impact on the capacity of our local landfills. We must start working together now to evaluate how we will dispose of our garbage in the future. If not, we are going to. be faced with enormous costs for the transportation cfi solid waste. This is a regional issue and must involve all local governments within the County. Stormwater Yet another regional environmental issue is stormwater. Federal Phase II Stormwater Management mandates are being implemented through the state. Concord has laid the groundwork over the past few years to meet these federal mandates through its mapping efforts. However, the required next step of expanding stormwater management services will be an expensive proposition and if the City Council chooses to provide higher level of service similar to that of many larger municipalities, there will be the need for new revenue sources to support it. Stormwater knows no political boundaries so it will be advantageous for Concord to partner with the surrounding local governments that face the same mandate. COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The Economy Concord has benefited greatly from a growing economy in the past years. If Concord did not have the growth in the commercial, industrial and business park segments of the economY, the