AVALON – Chief Financial Officer James Craft has proposed a $10 per quarter, per line surcharge on residences and businesses for the next four years to cover the $1 million cost of inspections and repairs for lead water service lines.
The inspections are a state-mandated action for which a $1 million expense has been added to the borough’s water/sewer utility budget for 2024.
Craft made his recommendation at the Wednesday, March 13, Borough Council meeting. No formal action was taken on the recommendation, but the council appeared favorably disposed.
The CFO said the borough has approximately 6,200 meters. A $10 surcharge per quarter for four years would total just under $1 million. Craft said that the charge would be per line, meaning a property with more than one meter would pay a charge for each line.
“If approved, (the surcharge) would begin with the July 2024 payment and continue to April 2028,” he said. “After four years, it would sunset.”
