Sec. 751.101. - Declaration of legislative intent and public policy.

The Council finds and declares that connections to central water and wastewater treatment systems and the elimination of on-site treatment and disposal systems promote the environment and the health, safety and general welfare of the inhabitants of the City and the water quality of the St. Johns River. Due to the high cost of construction of these systems, when centralized wastewater systems are made available connections must be mandatory. It is further declared that areas having the greatest need for services will take priority over other areas for available funding of centralized water and wastewater treatment systems. Priority areas will be determined by the Director of Public Works after consulting with the Director of Duval County Health Department. Centralized water and/or wastewater service will not be provided to the priority areas unless at least 70 percent of the property owners signify their desire for the system by signing a letter of intent which will include access for the construction, connection and maintenance of the system to be installed to serve the priority area property. It is further declared that the costs of constructing wastewater collection lines and water distribution lines to priority areas are to be borne by all taxpayers since the problems are City-wide. Upon notice of availability and within the timeframes established by the Chapter, all property owners will be required to connect to an available wastewater facility and will be charged a monthly service usage charge upon connection or a Readiness to Serve Charge if no timely connection is made. It is further declared that any existing Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund, managed and controlled by JEA, which is being financed by current JEA or City utility customers should not be used to rectify Priority Area problems without reimbursement. (Ord. 87-485-660, § 1; Ord. 91-992-399, § 1; Ord. 93-138-148, § 56; Ord. 2000-119-E, § 1; Ord. 2008-513-E, § 1; Ord. 2011-732-E; Ord. 2013-209-E, § 40; Ord. 2016-140-E , § 16; Ord. 2016-490-E , § 8)