Members of the City of Kingman Municipal Utilities Commission on June 22 requested staff prepare a report on whether the city should change its 500-foot consumer connection threshold and on how many city properties remain on septic systems despite sewer availability.

A commissioner asked for either an update or a staff report after prior discussion about reducing the distance threshold from 500 feet to 300 feet; staff noted the change had been discussed and previously tabled. The commissioner said the report should include how many properties have sewer in front of their lots but remain on septic and, where possible, how many fall within the 500-foot threshold and a 300-foot threshold to help evaluate incentive options.

City staff said the issue touches on both public health and cost: staff identified septic-tank abandonment as the major expense for homeowners and said that, once abandonment is complete, the actual physical connection to sewer is often less costly. Staff reported having had preliminary conversations with city management and the finance director about possible approaches and offered to bring more details to a future meeting. "If you want, I can get some more details on it and bring it up the next meeting," staff said.

Commission discussion included historical context: one speaker recalled that in the 1980s the city budget had a line item or pool of money used to pay for laterals in similar situations, though that program’s exact terms and repayment arrangements were not specified in the meeting. Staff also noted that some properties face additional payback assessments tied to earlier sewer extensions, which would raise the homeowner’s cost to connect.

The commission did not adopt a formal ordinance or change policy at the meeting. Instead, the chair acknowledged the request and staff said they would consult the city manager and finance director and return with a report or update at a future meeting.