Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSo Co Well Testing ProgramCommunity Development Department Ptanning Division Building Safety Division Environmental Soils Division 117 NW Lafayette Avenue Bend Oregon 97701-1925 (541)388-6575 FAX (541)385-1764 http://www.co.deschutes.or.us/cdd/ MEMORANDUM To: Board of County Commissioners From: Tom Anderson, Director Date: September 26,2011 Re: South County Well Test Funding -Groundwater Partnership Fund (296) BACKGROUND The United States Geological Survey (USGS) work with respect to southern Deschutes County groundwater included predictive models which assessed cumulative long term impacts of nitrates entering area groundwater. The models estimated the directional flow and volume of nitrates over time and their potential impacts on area drinking water resources. The data fed into the models was derived from a variety of sources, including samples taken from approximately 130 wells throughout the study area at different times during the course of the work. In order to assess the predictive accuracy of the models as well as update the future estimations of nitrate contamination, the study also recommended that additional well sampling be done in approximately seven to ten year increments. The Advisory Committee working with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is very interested in a new round of well sampling and has urged DEQ to undertake the work. However, DEQ is under severe budget constraints and has indicated that no funds are currently available. DEQ has prepared a possible well sampling scope of work and believes that a smaller set of well samples of approximately 70 would provide adequate data to accomplish what is required. Total cost of the project, including sample collection, lab analysis and interpretation is estimated at $25,000. COUNTY FUNDING The Groundwater Partnership Fund (296) was created to account for revenues derived from the Newberry Neighborhood in the City of La Pine, including land sales and Pollution Reduction Credit (PRC) assessments. Use of the money is intended to provide financial assistance to area property owners in reducing nitrates entering the groundwater, as well as other projects which would assist in reducing nitrate contamination on a broader level. Over the past several years, in addition to providing low interest loans to homeowners required to install nitrogen reducing Quality Services Performed with Pride septic systems, and issuing cash rebates to those who have done so, Fund resources have been used to help fund a sewer feasibility study in the Sunriver area. In the opinion of staff, well sampling to support an updated assessment of nitrate contamination is therefore an appropriate use of resources from Fund 296. As development within the Newberry Neighborhood has stagnated within the regional slowdown in new home construction, no new monies are accruing to the Fund at the present time, and it is not anticipated that new revenue will be forthcoming in the near future. Thus, in committing resources to well sampling, the Board must understand that funds designated for other purposes, primarily financial assistance, will be reduced. Attachment A provides an analysis of money currently available in Fund 296, and what the impact would be of designating funds for well sampling. The Newberry Neighborhood Fund (297) was created to ensure that the County has adequate resources to meet debt service requirements on bonds that were in part issued to help finance the expansion of the La Pine sewer plant to serve the Newberry Neighborhood. In addition, as capital improvements may be necessary in the future to prepare the Newberry Neighborhood for continued development, Fund 297 also reserves money for this anticipated purpose. However, the Board may choose to transfer funds from Fund 297 to Fund 296 to support well sampling, if it determines that adequate reserves are in place to accomplish the two objectives outlined above. Attachment B provides an analysis of resources currently available in Fund 297. BOARD DIRECTION It is requested that following discussion, the Board provide direction to staff in the use of Fund 296 resources for South County well sampling, either directly from Fund 296 or in combination with Fund 297. Attachment ~ V.2: PRe Purchases & Sunriver FY 2011 SeDt. '11 Feasibility + Well Testing FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 Actual FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 Beginning Net Working Capital Transfers In -NPA Land Sales Transfers In -NPA PRC Fallback (1) DEQ loan -SR Feasibility COCIB grant EPA Grant for loan program (2) Interest (3) Total Revenues $ 92,469 359,109 5 1348 456,926 $ 456,926 20,507 477,433 $ 477,433 12,689 490,122 $ 486,556 25,000 5,083 516,639 $ 291,360 40,000 1/49 333,109 $ 224,113 1,250 225,363 $ 81,195 750 81,945 $ 22,745 75,000 250 97,995 $ 13,795 150,000 250 164,045 $ 4,845 250,000 375,000 250 630,095 $ 371,095 380,000 1,000 752,095 PRC Purchases (4) 101,250 48,750 50,000 Direct assist.lloans to prop . owners (5) 60,000 60,000 Sunriver ;{DEQ Loan Payments (6) 246 9,168 Feasibility County payment Sunriver Feasibility (7) 3,566 124,029 Well Sampling -2011 25 ,000 Total Expenditures 3,566 225,279 108,996 144,168 Ending Fund Balance 456,926 477,433 486,556 291,360 224,113 81,195 Notes & Assumptions: (1) Number of PRCs paid for by developer/builder using fallback price of $7,500 (N1/N2): (2) These grant funds specified for loans to property owners. (3) Assumed 1 % interest rate beginning FY 2009 (4) County PRC purchases assumed to decline when NPA developers begin purchasing credits again Number of PRCs purchased by year: 27 in FY 2010,13 in FY 2011,14 in FY 2012, and 7 in 2013. (5) Assumed assistance fund is capitalized using 80% of the fund balance beginning in 2012. FY 2010 & 2011 are capitalized at a flat rate. Number of households served per year at $9,000-$16,000 per upgrade: 4-5 4-5 (6) DEQ Loan assumed terms: 1.25% interest, max repayment period is 5 years (7) The County payment for the Sunriver Feasibility study includes $65,000 granVloan funds and $62,500 of county funds. 25,000 25,000 9,200 59,200 22,745 2-4 75,000 9,200 84,200 13,795 5/5 5-8 150,000 9,200 159,200 4,845 10/10 10-15 250,000 9,000 259,000 371,095 25/25 15-25 750,000 750,000 2,095 25/25 50-75 158 283 Attachment B Sept. '11 Fund 297-New Neighborhood FY 2010 Actual FY 2011 Actual FY 2012 FY 2013 FY2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 Beginning Net Working Capital $ 237,178 $ 443,827 $ 465,878 $ 408,107 $ 349,896 $ 216,043 $ 156,623 $ 71,552 Land Sales -Pahlish Land Sales -LPUSD Sewer SDC's-LBUSD Sewer SDC's-Deschutes Lodge 18,765 171,000 74,100 79,999 350,000 Interest 4,291 3,235 3!550 3!000 2,500 2!000 1,500 750 Total Revenues Bond Debt Service Future Capital Improvements (1) Fees & Permits Transfer to Fund 296 505,334 61,107 400 527,061 61,183 469,428 61,321 411,107 61,321 61,211 352,396 61,353 75,000 218 1043 61,420 508,123 61,571 125,000 250,000 72,302 61,631 Total Expenditures Ending Fund Balance Notes & Assumptions: 61,507 443,827 , 61,183 61,321 61,211 136,353 465,878 408,107 349,896 216,043 (1) Related to New Neighborhood -May include traffic improvements, water/sewer infrastructure, perimeter trail. 61,420 156,623 436,571 71,552 61,631 10,671