More Mathematical Gymnastics
Population:
After reading 6 or so documents from Clallam County concerning the Carlsborg Sewer Project and the Financial Plan for the project I have come to the realization that they (the county commissioners, Department of Community Development and the County Public Works Department) have no idea how many people actually live in the "Carlsborg UGA".
According to the latest "Facilities Plan Amendment" June, 2014, there are 856 people living in the "Carlsborg UGA"in 2013 up from 842 in 2010. Using these erroneous figures based on "estimates" from the Office of Financial Management (OFM) result in a positive population change of 1.63% over the three year period or 0.55% growth per year.
Table E-1 page E-1, Table 2-2 Page 2-8, Chapter 1 Page 1-1, Table 6 Page 12
The actual and real population of the Carlsborg UGA is available from the OFM and the 2010 U. S. Census. According to the 2010 Census there were 995 people living in the Carlsborg CDP (census designated place) and there were 855 in the 2000 Census which is a positive growth of 14.07% or 1.40% per year. Now the latest 2013 Carlsborg CDP population from the OFM is 908, that is an 8.74% decrease in population over the three year period 2010-2013 or 2.91% per year decline, but they never talk about that even when you ask them point blank. 995 - 908 = 87 / 3yrs. = 29 people per year loss in population.
Why the county and their "consultants" insist on cutting and pasting these erroneous figures from one document to the other since 2007 is beyond me, especially when the accurate figures are available.
Housing & Commercial Connections:
You won't see the county discussing housing units or the number of actual residences (homes) or commercial businesses in the Carlsborg UGA either, they only talk about "Equivalent Residential Units" (ERUs) not the number of physical structures. Why you ask?
Because the number of ERUs is a larger number than the number of physical structures, for instance the county states there are 406 commercial ERUs in the Carlsborg UGA, but, there are only 62 physical commercial connections to be made. Each commercial connection would then be assessed 7 ERUs 406 / 62 = 7. See where this is going? You would then multiply the connection charge of $7,640 by 7 to get the total connection cost of $53,480.00. You then do the same for the monthly user fee $70 times 7 for total user fee of $490.00 per month. Follow me so far?
The county states they will waive all but $500 of the connection charge but that's still $3,500 plus any other plumbing cost like side sewer lines and abatement of your septic system and that could be up to another $8,500 GOTCHA! added to the bill.
Because the number of ERUs is a larger number than the number of physical structures, for instance the county states there are 406 commercial ERUs in the Carlsborg UGA, but, there are only 62 physical commercial connections to be made. Each commercial connection would then be assessed 7 ERUs 406 / 62 = 7. See where this is going? You would then multiply the connection charge of $7,640 by 7 to get the total connection cost of $53,480.00. You then do the same for the monthly user fee $70 times 7 for total user fee of $490.00 per month. Follow me so far?
The county states they will waive all but $500 of the connection charge but that's still $3,500 plus any other plumbing cost like side sewer lines and abatement of your septic system and that could be up to another $8,500 GOTCHA! added to the bill.
For the number of residential ERUs it is simply the number of actual physical homes. In the Carlsborg UGA there are 547 homes of which 334 in mobile home parks are exempt by law, that leaves only 213 plus the 62 commercial connections totals 275 connections in the entire Carlsborg UGA not 484 as stated in the Carlsborg Sewer Financial Plan, February, 2014, they are still talking ERUs, not physical structures or connections.
1 ERU is the equivalent of 125 gallons of water consumed per day, this figure is low considering that the Clallam County PUD says it should be 178 gallons per day. This low ball figure of 125 gallons leaves the county the ability to charger more if you consume more water. What a racket.
This is the same method used by Mason County for the Belfair sewer system and now it's a wreck and in the red. Check out the News Articles below.
Mason County might need to nearly triple sewer rates for Belfair customers to avoid putting
This is the same method used by Mason County for the Belfair sewer system and now it's a wreck and in the red. Check out the News Articles below.
Belfair sewer heading for the red County weighs rate increase, subsidy.
Mason County might need to nearly triple sewer rates for Belfair customers to avoid putting
the Belfair Waste water Utility in the red.
"It's a mess, and I don't have the answer," said Brian Matthews, Public Works and Utilities Director, calling the sewer utility "a turd."
Port, business owners balk at sewer costs.
"A growing number of concerned citizens say that the Belfair sewer project could flush out residents,
small businesses and non-profits in Belfair." "connection fees are estimated at $3,000 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU), on top of another $6,000 to $7,000 to construct a side sewer into the system, and about $96 per month per ERU for sewer service."
small businesses and non-profits in Belfair." "connection fees are estimated at $3,000 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU), on top of another $6,000 to $7,000 to construct a side sewer into the system, and about $96 per month per ERU for sewer service."
"Belfair Maytag Laundry had been tentatively allocated 22 ERUs, which means that it would cost the
business $66,000 to connect and more than $2,000 per month in sewer rates."
business $66,000 to connect and more than $2,000 per month in sewer rates."
"The county had been estimating one ERU at a value of about 150 gallons per day, which many business owners felt was skewed too low allowing the county to charge for more ERUs per business."
Now do you see what I'm trying to tell you? Clallam County GOING FOR BROKE at the expense of the Carlsborg residents.
