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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-05-2008-4kORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: February 5, 2008 Action Agenda Item No. _ A- SUBJECT: New Fee for Septic Contractors Class DEPARTMENT: Health Department PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): None INFORMATION CONTACT: Rosemary Summers, 245-2411 PURPOSE: To consider approving a new fee for a septic contractors class. BACKGROUND: The NC General Assembly passed a law during the 2007 session that requires septic contractors to be certified by a state licensing board and receive certification in order to install or repair septic systems. The certification also requires a certain number of hours of continuing education each year to maintain that certification. In addition, registration in Orange County is required to assure that septic contractors are familiar with the County's regulations governing septic systems. The Environmental Health Services staff has developed a one-day class to accomplish the following: o Provide an option for contractors to fulfill their continuing education requirements locally and with meaningful education topics, and o Assure that the contractors who are planning to work in Orange County are familiar with the local processes and regulations. Offering this educational opportunity will facilitate a smoother installation process and improve customer satisfaction and communication between staff and contractors. To pay for the costs associated with this class, the Health Department is requesting that a fee of $50 per contractor be established for the one-day class. This will cover the costs of notebooks, duplicating, and refreshments for the class. It is estimated that this will generate approximately $3,000 total that will be used to defray these out of pocket costs. Any remaining revenue will be used to further educational efforts directed toward homeowners. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The $50 fee will cover the out of pocket costs for the class, generating approximately $3,000 total. Staff time is not included in this cost;. however, there will be savings in a smoother process of meeting requirements once the work has started on an individual septic system. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the $50 fee for a septic contractors class and increase the Health Department budget to reflect the projected fees and expenses. Offering the class and charging a fee is contingent on approval of the class for continuing education units by the state licensing board.