By RAELYNN RICARTE
News staff writer
November 9, 2007

The Hood River County Commission moved ahead on Monday with plans to extend sewer lines into a health hazard area at Windmaster Corner.

The elected body approved the formation of a sewer district involving 98 properties. The county will now be able to charge a fee to cover operational costs.

In addition, the commission approved formation of an Urban Renewal District. That area includes all of the properties identified by local and state health officials as potentially at-risk for septic failure.

The county board’s conference room was crowded during the Nov. 5 hearings with protesting Windmaster residents. Many of these individuals objected to being included in the sewer district. They told officials that, since they were not experiencing septic problems, they should not be burdened with the added costs.

Chris Jackson, a Dillon Road resident, said 34 of the 98 properties folded into the district faced sanitation issues. He believed the county was attempting to redirect funds from people with no problems to address the potential health risks for a few dozen property owners.

Jackson said landowners included in the sewer district would have to spend $7,500 or more to bring sewer lines across their private properties and into their homes.

Dave Meriwether, county administrator, said formation of the URD had reduced the monthly bill for affected residents from $120 to $70-80. That fee covers $40 for city services, $4-$5 for maintenance of the sewer district and about $30-$35 to pay down the remainder of public debt.

Meriwether said the URD will not result in any new taxes. He said the amount from valuation increases that is received by fire districts and other public agencies will be frozen for up to 25 years. That will allow the county to divert the extra money from valuation adjustments toward repayment of a $500,000 state loan.

The total cost of the project is calculated at $2 million. In addition to the state loan, the county is seeking $500,000 in grant funds from the state. The City of Hood River and Port of Hood River are chipping in about $400,000 for the project because improving the sewer system benefits their respective growth needs. The county has also been authorized to receive $425,000 in federal funds, leaving about $200,000 to come out of the local government’s coffers. The sewer work will begin in the spring and continue for six months.