Week ending July 15, 2017
Finance Director Responses to Editorial on 2018 Budget
Attached is a letter to the Lawrence Journal World by Director of Finance Bryan Kidney in response to an editorial published July 13 on the 2018 Budget. The letter corrects some of the contents of the editorial as well as provided some additional information about the City’s 2018 Recommended Budget and the impact on Lawrence taxpayers. The letter also highlights that city property taxes are less than one-quarter of the total property taxes paid by Lawrence residents. Based on the total property tax mill levy last year, the City received twenty-four percent (24%) of property taxes paid by Lawrence taxpayers. About forty-one percent (41%) of property taxes paid went to USD 497, while roughly thirty-four percent (34%) went to Douglas County and approximately one percent (1%) went to the State of Kansas. This breakdown is expected to be the same in 2017.
East 9th Street Project – Architectural Services Agreement
Attached is a memo from Porter Arneill, addressing concerns expressed during public comment at the July 11, 2017 City Commission Meeting, related to the East 9th Street Project.
June Monthly Building Permit Reports
The Building Safety Division issued 258 building permits in June, with total construction for the month valued at $9,208,142. Total permit fees assessed for the month were $72,664, and total review fees assessed were $3,026. Permits were issued for twelve (12) new residential projects, including eleven (11) single-family dwellings and one (1) duplex. Staff Memo Monthly Permit Report Year-to-Date Summary
June Monthly Utility Billing Report
Attached is the monthly utility billing report for the month of June.
County Septic Regulation and Potential Discussion of City Rate to Dispose of Septic Waste
Land application of septage waste, if done appropriately, is the most cost effective and environmentally friendly disposal option. It is safe, legal, and allows for beneficial reuse of nutrients. Land application can occur on most agricultural ground, except where crops are grown for direct human consumption. The news report that states septage application is restricted by the Environmental Protection Agency to pastureland is not correct. Most crops of corn and soybeans are not used for direct human consumption, and therefore application of septage is acceptable and provides nutrients to the crop.
With the 2004 WWTP expansion, the city constructed a receiving station at additional capital cost despite the argument that, if built and with the cost of services reflected in fees, no one would use it for septage. This has proven to be correct. We do see a few loads of portable toilet waste monthly.
In early 2000, it was estimated there were 6000 septic tanks in the county. Assuming a three year pumping frequency and the typical strength of septage, that quantity would generate an organic load equivalent to approximately 8000 people. That is about 28% of the unused treatment capacity after the new Wakarusa treatment plant is operational. That capacity is intended to serve the growth of Lawrence and not for management of wastes outside of the City. Past and current Master Plan’s, CIPs, and project designs use historical loading and projected population growth to size treatment facilities and processes. The addition of septage at anything other than a minimal quantity is not considered nor planned for. Accepting septage of any significant quantity would require capital investment for additional treatment capacity as well as operational costs.
The current rate for septage has not changed since 2000 and is based on operational costs per unit of organic load at the time. There were no current or pending requirements for removal of nitrogen as there are now. As new rates are adopted based on cost of service, inclusive of capital costs and new treatment requirements, the existing rate could be, and probably should be, significantly more. If the rate for disposal at Topeka is $37.50 as mentioned it could be the costs of service is distributed to other ratepayers. If Topeka is willing to provide the service at that rate it is a good buy.
Land application of septage is not complex, but some oversight and monitoring may be required. Disposal of septage to the Lawrence treatment facilities transfers the management and regulatory responsibility for septic waste disposal to the City as required by the NPDES and takes away the need for others oversight of a county/area wide operation for septic tank servicers.
Official Record Inquiry
Attached is a memo from the City Clerk regarding a recent inquiry about official correspondence and meeting minutes.
Future Agenda Items
Attached, please find a summary of future agenda items.
Future Work Session Items
Attached, please find a summary of future work session items.