Trending
STEUBENVILLE -- Jefferson County hopes to continue its participation in the Ohio Water Pollution Control Fund's home sewage treatment system forgiveness program.
Commissioners Thursday added their voice to the county's nomination for funding for the program, which helps income-eligible homeowners replace failing septic systems. Participants must meet household income requirements, be the titled owner and use it as their primary residence. Qualifying households can receive 100 percent, 85 percent or 50 percent loan forgiveness, depending on total income.
Wendee Dodds, natural resources specialist and operations manager for the Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District, said her board and the Jefferson County General Health District have already endorsed the county's continued participation in the program.
She told commissioners they've been involved in the program since 2011, though in that first funding round "it took us a little longer to spend the money, so we didn't get (more) until 2014."
"Now, you have two years to spend the money for a particular round, but we apply every year," Dodds said, telling commissioners they've received more than $1 million in septic replacement funding through the program.
"We have 10 or so pending right now -- once they're completed, we'll be at 104, 105 (systems updated)," she said.
Commissioner Dave Maple said the loan forgiveness program has impacted "a large amount of people" since the county first got involved with it.
"They've helped 100 homes for $1 million over a period of time," Maple said. "When you look at other major sewage problems in the county, (it's) similar numbers for similar dollars. That shows the program really works -- it's a slower program, but it's still per capita and it does a nice job improving sewage in the county."
Later, health district Administrator Andrew Henry said failing home sewage treatment systems are common in Jefferson County and said loan forgiveness "is extremely important for public health."
"The program benefits everyone's health in the long run," Henry said, adding he thinks "hundreds of homes" are still at risk. "The problem is there isn't enough annual funding for all of them."
Commissioners pointed to significant improvements in water quality countywide since the home septic replacements began as well as the failing sewage systems they've taken over in communities like Smithfield and Amsterdam.
"The Amsterdam effect won't be felt just yet because their system is so new, but the water quality improvements have to be significant in that watershed," Maple said.
Dodds said by the time homeowners secure all the necessary permits, do a soil evaluation and get the design work done, septic replacement could cost anywhere from $12,000 to $16,000.
Commissioner Tony Morelli wanted to know how many problem properties remain, but Dodds pointed out "$150,000 only goes so far. Compared with the failing systems out there, we don't get very far with it."
"This program is all about water quality," Morelli said later. "Many residents can't afford a new septic system, which can cost $20,000 each. For every one we install, less raw sewage gets into our streams. JSWCD has done a great job with this program -- I just wish we had more funding so as to have more people eligible."
Dodds said interested homeowners can call to have their names added to the list, but no applications will be accepted until spring.
She introduced the new Cross Creek/Yellow Creek Watershed Program manager, Crystal Conaway. Conaway previously worked in the commissioner's office.
Commissioners, meanwhile, referred Cedar One Realty's proposed management contract for the Tower building to the prosecutor for review, stressing that they're not prepared to make a decision but do need to investigate their options.
Broker Joe Luckino told commissioners it "could be a win-win," pointing out the building has around 19 occupants currently, some of them county or government tenants. He said about 11 of them are paying tenants and of those, four have leases that are "out of date or have not been renewed."
He contends the additional revenue they could generate just by addressing the outdated leases would cover their management fee.
"This is pretty typical in the leasing business, the property ownership business," Morelli said, explaining he has rental properties of his own. "What's unique about us is we have a lot of county departments (in the building). 'Do we need to do it' is a better question."
Maple said the fact that the building owner -- the board of commissioners -- is a government agency "makes this a little more difficult: We're a government agency, government employees will be doing the work, there's government contracts (involved), government paying utilities."
Commissioner Eric Timmons said it "also helps maximize the potential of that building."
Maple pointed out that they probably can't take action without issuing a request for proposals, which Morelli then requested.
"I'm not convinced we need it yet, but to see the ideas I'll support it," Maple said.
Morelli also pointed out the acquisition of the Tower building -- accomplished years ago by Maple and former Commissioners Tom Gentile and Tom Graham -- "turned out to be a very positive purchase for the county."