We are pleased to announce that the sewerage feasibility study for Deer Lake is complete. The project engineer, Bill Shoemaker, and myself will be present at your August 7th meeting to present the final conclusions, recommendations and costs. We have received permission to use part of your meeting as a formal public hearing on the environmental assessment statement for the project. This is a legal requirement we must satisfy.
We want to take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation and thanks to the Deer Lake Property Owners Association, its Directors, and Officers. Because of your organization, it has been possible to inform the people and give them an opportunity to participate in the planning process. Your Association has performed a valuable service.
As explained in the report, the proposed sewerage system is a $5.8 million dollar project. We are asking you to approve a $1.25 million dollar Local Utility District Assessment bond issue. We are advised that there are grant programs available to obtain grants for the remaining cost. We have no firm commitment for these grant funds at this time, but we believe we most proceed on the assumption that this project will receive priority.
The proposed system has not been sized to accommodate large new developments. The sewer system is sized to serve the present subdivided land around the lake. Our objective is to correct an existing, but ever increasing sewage disposal problem around Deer Lake. We believe that all efforts have been made to find the least cost alternative. Nonetheless, we recognize that sewer systems are costly and they are getting more costly each year.
We, the Commissioners of the Stevens County PUD, are and have been deeply concerned about the lakes here in Stevens County. We have sponsored this study as a first step in assuring that Deer Lake will remain the priceless recreational resource, that it is. Without proper sewerage facilities. Deer Lake will slowly, but inevitably deteriorate. There are hundreds of ruined lakes in this country that bear witness to this fact.
Therefore, we ask from you, a petition signed by the majority of property owners requesting us to proceed with the design and construction of the project. A $1.25 million dollar bond issue is a substantial commitment on your part, but we hope it is not considered unreasonable. Should we not leave Deer Lake for our grandchildren in the same condition as we found it?
Respectfully yours,
Sherman P. Edwards, Chairman
Stevens Co. PUD Commissioners
PUBLIC MEETING : 7:300 P.M., August 7 1976 (Saturday Evening) at Kratzer Hall, Pinelow Nazarene Park Camp, on the west side of Deer Lake. The sewer feasibility study is complete. The final conclusions, recommendations and costs will be presented by Bill Shoemaker, project engineer. The environmental assessment hearing will be made a part of the meeting. If the project goes, design will take place in 1977. Construction will take place in 1978 and 1979. Construction should be complete by July, 1979.
District Formation; The legal mechanism to implement the plan is the formation of a Local Utility District (LUD). This is accomplished by petition. 50% or more of the property owners within the proposed district boundary must sign the petition. The PUD forms the LUD by resolution after a public hearing. The petition is for a $1.25 million bond issue.
Local Cost: To repay the $1.25 million bond issue, each property within the district is assessed. The assessment can be paid in full at any time or financed over 20 years. The assessment is paid with the property taxes each year. The zone and termini method as described in Chapter VIII of the report and as stated in RCW 55.44 will be used. The cost per assessment number is $15.20.
| SIZE OF LOT | ASSESSMENT NO. | TOTAL ASSESS. | YEARLY PAYMENT 5% @ 20 Yrs. | EQUIVALENT MONTHLY CHARGE WITH USER FEE ($4.75} |
| 50' x 120' | 50.0 | $660.00 | $52.96 | $9.16 |
| 50« x 200' | 56.7 | $748.44 | $60.06 | $ 9.75 |
| 50' x 400' | 75.5 | $967.56 | $77.64 | $11.22 |
| 60' x 150' | 65.0 | $851.60 | $66.75 | $10.51 |
| 60' x 500' | 78.0 | $1,029.60 | $82.62 | $11.65 |
| 75' x 120' | 75.0 | $990.00 | $79.44 | $11.57 |
| 75' x 200' | 85.0 | $1,122.00 | $90.05 | $12.25 |
| 100' x 150' | 105.0 | $1,586.00 | $111.22 | $14.02 |
| 100' x 250' | 121.7 | $1,606.44 | $128.90 | $15.49 |
Users Fee; There are only two charges; assessments and users fees. The above assessment covers the Initial capital cost of the system. The users fee pays for the annual operation and maintenance of the system. Monthly user fees are for 12 months each year for all classes
of users. Permanent homes pay $7.50 per month. Summer homes pay $4.75 per month. Trailers and Cabins in parks and resorts pay $2.10 per month. The total user fee schedule is given in Chapter IX of the report.