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SPONSOR: | Rodriguez | DATE TYPED: | 2/23/01 | HB | |||
SHORT TITLE: | Santa Fe County Water and Sewer Connections | SB | 430 | ||||
ANALYST: | Belmares |
Recurring
or Non-Rec |
Fund
Affected | ||||
FY01 | FY02 | FY01 | FY02 | ||
$ 200.0 | Non-Recurring | General Fund |
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Department of Environment
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Senate Bill 430 appropriates $200.0 from the general fund to the Department of Environment for the purpose of assisting residents of Santa Fe County with water and sewer connections.
Significant Issues
Senate Bill 430 would provide assistance to Santa Fe County residents for a portion of costs for connection to water and sewer systems typically supported by the homeowner. The Department of Environment has indicated a one-time appropriation of $200.0 would pay for approximately 133 sewer connections at an average cost of $1.5 each. This estimate includes the cost of decommissioning of old septic tanks. Alternately the appropriation could pay for approximately 333 water connections at an estimated average cost of $0.6 each. However, the bill does not specify the range of services offered to connect Santa Fe county residents to water and/or sewer infrastructure. The Department of Environment asserts a complete rand of services may include the provision of labor and hardware as well as cutting off the connection to old water well or filling in an old septic tank.
The United States Department of Agriculture administers a Rural Housing Service program which currently provides similar services to state residents on an income-qualified basis.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The appropriation of $200.0 contained in this bill is a non-recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2002 shall revert to the general fund.
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
The bill would constitute a new program for which no administrative funds are provided. The Department of Environment has indicated the bill could require substantial departmental staff resources to develop rules and administer funding assistance to residents of Santa Fe County.
POSSIBLE QUESTIONS
The bill does not specify which residents of Santa Fe County would receive assistance. What criteria would be used to establish the disbursement of funds?
EB/njw