Good afternoon Residents,
On 10.28.2024, the Evergreen Board of Directors sent an email to Phil Keathley. He is the project manager for Martin County, which handles the water and sewer installations for the various communities. Below is his reply to the Board of Directors regarding the next steps in having the Water and sewer installed.
The assessment process before the BOCC takes 2 separate actions and both have to go through the appropriate Statutory requirements as follows:
1. Initial Assessment Resolution is scheduled for November 12, 2024.
(Initial Assessment Resolution. The Initial Assessment Resolution begins the assessment process for any specific project and does not require a public hearing. Pursuant to requirements set forth in the Home Rule Assessment Ordinance, the Initial Assessment Resolution must include the following: a description of the property located within the proposed assessment area; a description of the project proposed for funding from proceeds of the assessments; an estimate of the project cost; a description of the proposed method of apportioning the project cost among the parcels of property located within the proposed assessment area, such that the owner of any parcel of property can objectively determine the amount of the assessment; a description of the provisions for prepayment of the assessment; a description of the provisions for reallocating the assessment upon future subdivision; specific legislative findings that recognize the fairness provided by the apportionment methodology; and provides that the County staff will publish and mail notices to the affected property owners notifying them of their right to appear at a public hearing prior to the County’s adoption of a final assessment resolution imposing the assessments.)
2. Public Hearing and Final Assessment Resolution before the BOCC which affirms the Initial Assessment Resolution and establishes the proposed Evergreen/Windstone Municipal Service Benefit Unit. Invitations to this meeting will me mailed to each benefitted property owner 20 days in advance of the hearing. Also advertised in local news publications. This is scheduled for December 10, 2024.
1. Initial Assessment Resolution is scheduled for November 12, 2024.
(Initial Assessment Resolution. The Initial Assessment Resolution begins the assessment process for any specific project and does not require a public hearing. Pursuant to requirements set forth in the Home Rule Assessment Ordinance, the Initial Assessment Resolution must include the following: a description of the property located within the proposed assessment area; a description of the project proposed for funding from proceeds of the assessments; an estimate of the project cost; a description of the proposed method of apportioning the project cost among the parcels of property located within the proposed assessment area, such that the owner of any parcel of property can objectively determine the amount of the assessment; a description of the provisions for prepayment of the assessment; a description of the provisions for reallocating the assessment upon future subdivision; specific legislative findings that recognize the fairness provided by the apportionment methodology; and provides that the County staff will publish and mail notices to the affected property owners notifying them of their right to appear at a public hearing prior to the County’s adoption of a final assessment resolution imposing the assessments.)
2. Public Hearing and Final Assessment Resolution before the BOCC which affirms the Initial Assessment Resolution and establishes the proposed Evergreen/Windstone Municipal Service Benefit Unit. Invitations to this meeting will me mailed to each benefitted property owner 20 days in advance of the hearing. Also advertised in local news publications. This is scheduled for December 10, 2024.
(Public Hearing/Final Assessment Resolution. The public hearing is the primary means by which the property owners provide input on the potential project because at this point they have received a mailed notice indicating what their maximum assessment may be on their specific properties. Immediately following the public hearing, or at any subsequent meeting, the County may adopt the Final Assessment Resolution which, pursuant to requirements set forth in the Ordinance, must: create or affirm the assessment area; establish the maximum amount of the annual assessment for each measurement unit; approve the assessment roll; and determine the method of collection. The Final Assessment Resolution is then recorded to put future property owners on notice of the assessment amount and period. If the particular project allows the prepayment of the special assessment, mailed notices would again be sent to each property owner after the adoption of the Final Assessment Resolution indicating the amount and time period for prepayment.)
3. Staff level workshop to explain costs and the assessment process will be scheduled approximately 1 to 2 weeks before the Public Hearing/Final Assessment Resolution meeting and invitations will be mailed to each benefitted property owner prior to the workshop.
Once the MSBU is established by the BOCC the project is funded and the contract is awarded to the Contractor. The project involves approximately 9 miles of Horizontally Direction Drilled water mains with appurtenances. Ie: valves, fittings, fire hydrants and service lines for each property to be served. The estimated time to substantial completion (completed to the point where Martin County can take beneficial use of the system) is 11 months. Another 60 days to final completion.
The Department applied for a Grant to fund a sewage force main extension throughout the project area and we hope to receive an answer on our application In November 2024.
Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Phil Keathley
Chief Project Manager
Utilities/Solid Waste
(772) 223-7977
