Fees for sewer connections increase in Ruidoso area
Connection charges were increased to cover expenses
Dianne L. Stallings- Separate time frames were established for application submissions and actual connections
As Ruidoso village officials continue the march toward the goal of shutting down septic systems and hooking up homes to sewer lines, councilors approved a change in timelines to accommodate property owners and village utilities.
Ashlie Carabajal, Global Information Systems technician for the village, explained to councilors at a recent meeting that the ordinance amendment creates two different time frames for pulling an application and one for actually connecting to an available line after an application is approved, eliminating an overlapping time frame. The change will ensure the ordinance is easier to implement, she said. Changes to fees will better reflect actual department expenses to connect a property.
The village as a member of the Joint Use Board that governs the Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant committed to connecting 200 onsite septic systems by Aug. 31, 2022, as a condition of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit for the treatment plant and its discharge into the Rio Ruidoso.
Officials with the Ruidoso Joint Utility Department also determined the connection charges needed to be increased to cover expenses related to the connection. The flat fee was increased from $100 to $250 inside the village, and from $200 to $500 outside the village.
“I know we’ve talked about this, but the whole purpose is to basically cover the real cost of the connection,” Mayor Lynn Crawford clarified.
“Did we determine the actual cost or just grab it out of a hat?” Councilor Tim Coughlin asked.
“Adam Sanchez and his crew made a determination on the actual hours it takes their crew to do these connections, so it’s based on actual cost,” village Watershed Director Eric Boyda said.
“I just wanted to make that clear, so people know we’re not just jacking up the rates,” Coughlin said. “There is history behind it.”
Under the amended ordinance, all applications for connections must be made within 30 days after mailing of the required notice by the village. All physical connections, as approved by the village manager or designee, must be completed within 150 days after approval of the application.
Septic tanks and cesspools affected must be decommissioned in line with state laws in effect at the time of connection to the sewer line.
No one from the public objected during the hearing and the amendment was approved unanimously.