The maximum cost that can be charged for the solid waste assessment has been determined.

The county commission voted to move the process along for the solid waste management and disposal.

The cost per household would be $112 a year.

“This sets your ceiling,” County Attorney Heather Encinosa said.

Encinosa told the commission that they could lower the assessment rate if they choose, but could not raise it once notices are sent out to the property owners.

The resolution that was approved June 21 includes sending out those notices.

The fee is for residential properties only – not commercial.

Residential properties will now not have to pay tipping fees when they go to the dump. Commercial properties will still have to pay those fees.

This also sets the date and time for the public hearing, which is Aug. 16 at 5 p.m. This allows a chance for residents to speak on the issue.

The fee is so the transfer station can be upgraded and brought up to code regulations.

The total cost to fix the station is $1.4 million.

The county does have a grant of $700,000 to go towards that total.

If the county does not move forward, the grant would go away, County Administrator Ben Pingree said.

“It’s a system basically that’s not set up in the best manner to operate an enterprise,” Pingree said.

Public Works Director Cleve Fleming said the county has outgrown its system and eventually the state is going to mandate that the upgrades take place.

“The state is going to call the shots if you wait,” Fleming said.

Fleming told the commissioners that it will take half a million dollars to simply close down the current substation.

Commissioner Mike Stewart said mandate or not, he felt this was the wrong time.

He suggested putting this on the ballot for people to vote on whether or not they would be willing to pay the assessment fee.

“Let the citizens tell us if they want to assess themselves,” Stewart said.

Chairman Howard Kessler said he thinks a lot of people will have a problem paying the assessment fee.

He added that this is the first step and the next thing will be a Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU).

“We have to be fiscally responsible,” Kessler said. “We can’t spend more than we take in.”

The commission voted four to one, with Kessler opposing, to move the assessment forward.

Stewart said he was voting to move it forward to the public hearing, but said unless convinced that the public wants it, he will ultimately vote against it.

In other news, the commission agreed to extend the deadline for businesses to connect to the sewer line.

Stewart is the one who proposed the idea to hold off. He said that if people are forced to hookup, many may not be able to and the county will have to make the decision to cut off their water because they failed to hook on to the sewer.

“We’re just going to cut our nose to spite our face,” Stewart said.

The commission decided to allow some time for businesses to connect. And extended the discount being offered if businesses do connect. There is a 75 percent reduction if businesses connect by January 2011.

Commissioner Alan Brock ignored those people who are able to go ahead and connect to the sewer line and take advantage of the discount offered.

Resident Ralph Thomas said, “It’s no mystery to anyone that businesses are on their knees at this point.”

Commission agreed to change the ordinance giving people more time and will send out the updated letters to those businesses that will be affected.

An emotional topic that came before board on Monday was one dealing with the Park Subdivision.

Homeowners in that neighborhood showed council a problem they are having with sink holes forming in their yards.

The homeowners said they were never made aware of this problem by the developer.

They say it is unfair to them and they are fearful that someone is going to get hurt.

However, people continue to move into homes in the neighborhood and the information about the sink holes isn’t being disclosed, they said.

The homeowners were looking for help from the county commissioner. Some wondered if a moratorium can be placed on building any more Encinosa said the problem is that once the subdivision is approved by the commission, the restrictions and requirements for the neighborhood falls to the developer and builder.

The commission asked the attorney to look into what can be done for future subdivisions regarding disclosure of things, such as sink holes.

“I wish we could do more,” Stewart said. “Going forward, we will.”

The commission asked the county attorney to research this issue and come back with any ideas of things the commission can do.