The Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 25 adopted Resolution WD25-034, authorizing the wastewater general manager to approve deferments and waive deferment determinations for capital finance charges within the consolidated main sewer district. The motion passed 7-0.

The resolution delegates to the general manager the annual review and approval of capital finance charge deferments and requires staff to provide an annual report to the board on deferments and terminations. The delegation was described by the county attorney and by staff as consistent with prior board practice and with the county charter provisions cited in the resolution.

Why it matters: The action changes which official carries out routine deferment reviews and approvals; a public commenter said the change raises questions about eligibility, taxpayer burden and whether the charter resolution requires board action for discretionary extensions.

During public comment, Ben Hobert of Westwood Hills said, “the resolution presented today proposes to defer wastewater capital finance charges for 12 properties,” and asked whether those properties meet the charter standard for agricultural use, whether the board’s discretion over extensions was being improperly delegated, and what the amount of each property’s deferral is. Hobert also asked whether taxpayers bear additional costs if revenue is deferred.

County staff and commissioners responded that the change formalizes an efficiency measure that has been evolving for several years. The county attorney told the board the proposal had been reviewed by county counsel and bond counsel and that counsel had “no concerns” about the delegation. Commissioners said existing written guidelines for qualifying for deferments remain in place and that property owners retain appeal rights to the board if the general manager terminates a deferment.

Commissioner Brewer moved adoption of Resolution WD25-034; Commissioner Myers seconded. The clerk called the roll: Commissioner Fast, aye; Commissioner Myers, aye; Commissioner Brewer, aye; Commissioner Hanslick, aye; Commissioner Ashcraft, aye; Commissioner Allen Brand, aye; Chairman Jeremy Kelly, aye. Seven in favor, none opposed.

The resolution references the county charter and the consolidated main sewer district’s procedures; staff said they will return an annual report so commissioners can review individual deferments and terminations and raise questions at that time.

Ending: The board completed the vote and moved on to other business. The annual report required by the resolution will be the next routine opportunity for commissioners to review specific deferments and raise further concerns.