City limits cost of septic tank abatement
BY BRADLEY "B.J." DAVIS, JR. Gulf Breeze News bjdavis@gulfbreezenews.com

Gulf Breeze City Council will assess 42 Highpoint and North Sunset residents $11,133 each for septic tank abatement.

"The purpose of this hearing is we're sitting as a board of equalization," said Mayor Lane Gilchrist at the Feb. 5 City Council meeting. Gilchrist added that the council was interested in hearing whether or not the 42 homeowners affected by the abatement felt the assessment was fair.

"I personally perceive no need for my property to be converted from septic to sewer. I don't see any benefit to the residents of the city for doing it. I personally believe that the environment is impacted less by septic tanks," said Highpoint homeowner Brian Samay. He also voiced his concern about the fiscal implications of the abatement.

"I have no means by which to pay $11,000 for this assessment. I maybe speak only for myself, or course. The last four years I've gone through a lot of financial hardship. I've lost one house to Ivan, [I've gone through] a divorce and I've lost my business," said Samay.

Jim Lively, president of the Woodland Bayou Homeowners' Association reminded city council that residents have been trying to get a cost-effective sewer service for some time. "We've been trying to get sewer around that bayou in our neighborhood since 1984 or sooner than that. The bill was always way too high: $20,000, $30,000," said Lively.

The City of Gulf Breeze recently received a $1 million Community Development Block Grant after Hurricane Ivan. Around $550,000 of that grant has been earmarked for septic tank abatement in areas where septic tank operation can be a

Overall residents are in favor problem during and after a storm, such as those septic tanks that service waterfront locations, according to City Manager Edwin "Buz" Eddy. The city is also kicking in an additional $180,000 to bring down the project cost which is estimated at around $1,084,000. After the city contribution and earmarked CDBG funds, the 42 homeowners will each shoulder a maximum assessment of $11,133. The assessments can be paid in 10 equal yearly installments with an interest rate of eight percent per annum on unpaid principal balance. of the project.

"I've never seen response in favor of anything since I've been here. It was overwhelming. All the people that we contacted 79 percent all voted 'yes' to have this sewer put in," said Lively.

According to Eddy, once the assessments have been approved, the abatement project will begin around the first to the middle of April. Eddy added that the lift station that will support the sewer system will be placed in Woodland Park and is being fabricated off-site. It should be ready in the next six weeks.