Commissioners Propose Business-Friendly Water & Sewer Capacity Fee Payment Changes

FREDERICK, MD – As part of a concerted strategy to improve the business-friendly climate in the county, the Frederick Board of County Commissioners today voiced unanimous support for extended payment plans for water and sewer capacity fees, sometimes referred to as connection fees, paid by small businesses. County regulations currently require the fees to be paid in full before building permits are released, but proposed policy revisions will allow a payment plan for businesses so they don’t have to pay all fees upfront as they expand or start-up their operations.

The board will take the proposal to a public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on August 7, at Winchester Hall, 12 East Church Street, Frederick, Md.

Board President Blaine Young commented, “Since the day we took office, this board has proactively responded to concerns raised by the business community about overly burdensome regulations, including the policies regarding water and sewer fees. The proposed revisions will allow much more flexibility to business owners and allow them to come up with a financial long-term plan to pay the fees. This change is yet one more way that this board is working to be business-friendly during challenging economic times.”

The county’s current water and sewer rules only allow capacity fee payment plans for existing structures that have well or septic system failures. The board’s proposal would expand the fee payment option to small businesses to aid with their construction and expansion plans. For example, if a business expansion required the payment of $36,392 in water and sewer capacity fees, $25,000 is eligible for the extended payment plan. If a desired repayment of the eligible amount would be over 10 years, the quarterly payment would be approximately $775 to repay the $25,000 capacity fees that would have otherwise been paid prior to the release of a building permit.

The board will take to public hearing changes to the water and sewer rules and regulations administered by the Division of Utilities and Solid Waste Management.

For more information, contact division Director Kevin Demosky at 301-600-2997 or via e-mail at kdemosky@FrederickCountyMD.gov.