TRAVERSE CITY -- Residents concerned about Grand Traverse County's plan to tax septic tanks will get a chance to voice their thoughts.
A proposal to replace a 12 cents per-gallon charge to treat septage with an annual property tax assessment of $44 on all septic tanks will be presented to each township during their regular meetings in November and December.
The county's Septage Finance Committee formulated the proposal and wants to explain its rationale -- while getting reaction from residents before presenting a final recommendation to the Grand Traverse County Board of Public Works.
Judy Houts, Fife Lake Township's clerk, said she understands the county's rationale, but remains undecided about the tax.
"Aren't we all opposed to additional taxes," Houts said. "Sometimes we've got to bite the bullet, but I don't know yet if this is one of those times."
A study completed by accounting firm Plante & Moran in 2008 recommended an assessment to address an expected $2.4 million deficit at the plant over the next five years. The plant takes in less than half the volume and costs almost twice as much to operate than projected when plant construction was proposed to the townships in 2003.
The BPW this year commissioned an investigation into the engineering firm and project manager who were responsible for the projections. It also hired another engineering firm to review changes in plant design that may lower costs.
Neither of those actions will fully address long-term financing issues at a plant that charges the highest septage treatment fee in the state.
Plante & Moran said a tax on septic tank owners provides a more stable flow of plant funding while spreading the cost to residents over several years.
The committee looked at other funding alternatives over the last eight months, but last week voted to concur with Plante & Moran's findings.
"It's a financial model that meets the economic needs of the facility, but it's not a political solution," said county Commissioner and committee member Larry Inman. "We still have to go out and sell it to the public."
Houts said the meetings are important for township officials and public alike.
"The county needs to get out here and educate the people so they know what's going on and then people need to let them know their own feelings," Houts said.
Meeting schedule
Grand Traverse County officials scheduled visits to township halls on the following dates and times to explain why the county should levy a special property tax assessment on all septic tank owners:
East Bay Township, Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m.
Mayfield Township, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m.
Blair Township, Nov. 10 at 6 p.m.
Acme Township, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.
Garfield Township, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.
Grant Township, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Whitewater Township, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.
Fife Lake Township, Union Township, and the Village of Fife Lake in the village hall, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.
Long Lake Township, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m.
Peninsula Township, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m.
Paradise Township, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.
Green Lake Township, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m.
Elmwood Township, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. (Elmwood Township is in Leelanau County, but is a member of a metro-townships group that approved and agreed to financially support he Grand Traverse septage plant.)
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