County amends line-extension policy to expand sewer access, remove admin fee and set infrastructure charge

St. Johns County commissioners approved amendments to the county's Utility Ordinance (Ordinance 2237) that revise the county's septic-to-sewer line-extension and connection policies.

Terri Shoemaker, chief engineer for St. Johns County Utilities, summarized the changes: the eligibility distance for sewer line-extension facilitation will increase from 200 feet to 1,000 feet to expand access, the previous 25% administrative fee will be removed, and the county will adopt a flat infrastructure charge of $2,250 for new sewer customers that will be indexed each Oct. 1. The county will permit financing of the infrastructure charge through the unit connection-fee financing option at 5% interest over seven years. Shoemaker said the changes aim to streamline connections, address inequities in past cost allocations, and help move residents off septic systems.

The ordinance update also removes an antiquated capacity-commitment reservation process, adds tariff flexibility for experimental reclaimed-water pilot projects (planned for Silverleaf), and codifies program materials and outreach, including an online one-pager and mailing to interested parties.

The board voted 5-0 to amend the ordinance.

What residents asked: Commissioners and staff discussed operational considerations (e.g., when a property at the end of a long extension will need neighbors to connect) and confirmed the county will provide outreach and a public-facing web page with program details.

Next steps: Staff will finalize ordinance language and launch the informational web page and outreach list as described.