Developer presents county‑area sewer upgrade plan; treasurer suggests ARPA as a funding source

Brad Barham of Evaunt Management presented a proposal to upgrade county‑area sewer systems and increase wastewater infrastructure capacity. He introduced Paul Kruger (Head of Development) and Gary Spencer (Head of Strategy) and said Evaunt will seek a meeting with the Joint Powers Board to advance the proposal and clarify deliverables.

County Grant Coordinator Mary Crosby said Joint Powers Board members have signaled a preference for projects inside incorporated limits and urged the county to identify alternative approaches that would support sewer systems serving unincorporated areas. Crosby told the board she agrees with approaching the Joint Powers Board but expects that additional options will be needed to support county sewer needs.

County Treasurer Jerry Greenfield noted that American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds could be used for funding and said such infrastructure projects could expand the tax base by supporting population growth. "ARPA funds could be used for funding and this would be a way to increase tax base by increasing the population," Greenfield said.

Chairman Jerry Hansen asked staff to have County Grant Coordinator Mary Crosby meet with Evaunt Management to clarify deliverables that would move the project forward and to ensure the proposal would benefit the county. Commissioner Connelly said the county’s Comprehensive Plan needs updating and suggested that the Comprehensive Plan and any sewer planning be coordinated.

What happens next: Evaunt Management will schedule a meeting with the Joint Powers Board; county staff will meet with Evaunt to refine deliverables; planning staff were asked to return with recommendations on Comprehensive Plan updates. No formal funding commitment was recorded in the transcript.