Maxwell assessment district moves forward

The Maxwell Public Utility District hosted the first of several public meetings this week in an effort to seek a tax assessment district to pay for a new wastewater treatment facility.

The new facility is being designed to meet the stringent new clean water mandates imposed by the state and federal governments, district officials said Wednesday.

Property owners can expect to pay from $225 to $500 a parcel on their property taxes each year to help cover the costs.

According to Maxwell’s engineers, the new regulations make Maxwell’s existing surface water discarge facility impractical and obsolete.

“The problem will not go away if we do nothing,” said David Carter, of Winzler & Kelly. “Solving the problem just becomes more expensive.”

Carter said inaction could also result in a potential government takeover of the district and denial of any future property development. Maxwell has already been fined $1.6 million for being out of compliance with the regulations.

District officials said Maxwell PUD has applied for a $4 million loan from the Department of Agriculture to meet the requirement, making the district eligible for up to $3 million in grants to pay back the loan, and another $1 million grant to help eligible low-income property owners with their assessment. 

Carter said if the assessment district is not formed, property owners would have to pay back the loan through an increase in monthly rates, from $48 a month to approximately $130.

The proposed project includes an upgraded wastewater treatment facility, new pump stations, pipelines, storage ponds and irrigation systems.

“The project involves the regulated irrigation of pasture crops,” Carter said. “This is the most practical and cost effective approach to long-term regulatory compliance and a good use of recycled water.”

The cost is estimated to be about $8.5 million, but a delay in building could result in additional construction costs, Carter said.

Assessment ballots will be mailed to property owners Nov. 14.

The assessment district will include all properties currently connected to the wastewater systems, all undeveloped properties within the Maxwell PUD boundary, and properties within the Maxwell PUD sphere of influence that want to connect to the system at a future date.

About 45 people attended two meetings this week and additional informational meetings are scheduled.

Although most had general questions about the facility and assessment district, others expressed apprehension about taxing those who have large tracks of undeveloped parcels.

“I’m greatly concerned about this,” said Maxwell resident Alan Beck. “This could bankrupt some people. There is one person within the boundary who has 160 parcels.”

Carter said Winkler & Kelly would take a look at large subdivided properties for possible exemptions.

“It’s not our intention to break any one person,” he said.

Property owners will have approximately six weeks to return their ballots, which will be counted on January 6, 2009.

The Maxwell Public Utility District seeks to form a tax assessment district to pay for mandatory wastewater treatment upgrades.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Public Information meeting: 7 p.m., Sept. 11 Maxwell Grammar School
Deadline for petitions from outlying parcel owners to join assessment district, Sept. 24
Assessment ballots mailed to voters, Nov. 14
Public information meeting, time and place to be announced, Nov. 25
Public information meeting, time and place to be announced, Dec. 1
Assessment ballots counted, Jan. 6.