We’re not convinced Effingham County taxpayers should be taking the full hit for repairs to water and sewer infrastructure that has sat unused for a number of years.
Commissioners, in a 3-2 vote, approved accepting the roads and water and sewer infrastructure in Red Oak subdivision on Feb. 18.
That acceptance means the county will also foot at least a $27,000 bill to make it useable again.
The subdivision’s road, Red Oak Lane, needs $2,500 to $3,000 in repairs. The water and sewer infrastructure needs more than $25,000 of work.
The issue seems fairly straightforward to us.
County commissioners followed procedure in place at the time. They approved the plat in 2008 and as the minutes state: The developer “will provide a one-year warranty period on all infrastructures to be dedicated to the County.” The infrastructure that was to be dedicated never was at the end of that one year, in fact the developer waited until 2013 to record the plat and ask the county to take ownership.
That procedure in 2008 was all fine and good while the economy was ticking along. That changed, and so did county policy in 2009. The rules were changed to turn over infrastructure when the plat is recorded and for developers to carry a bond for one year to cover any problems that might come up.
The rules that are in place now shouldn’t be used to rewrite history.
We also don’t buy the argument put forth by one commissioner that the county changing the way the property was taxed, from one tract to individual lots, leads one to conclude the county took ownership at the time of plat approval.
The tax bill was paid by the developer, not just for the lots, but also the pump station and the road.
The owner also put a pole across the road, blocking access — not a move you would likely make on county property.
When the county staff and an engineer inspected the water sewer pump station last year they found “many issues.”
That’s no big surprise for a system that was never used.
It is a surprise to us that county taxpayers are now going to pay to make a subdivision marketable for a developer.
County taxpayers may get a series of these unpleasant surprises as this also sets what could be an expensive precedent.
There are about 57 subdivisions that may be in a similar situation.
And that could be painful.
•••
It’s been quite the basketball season for our local teams at both high schools.
The Lady Mustangs of South Effingham made school history this year when they earned a berth in the final four of the state playoffs.
The championship game was not to be for the girls this year, but this team has much to be proud of.
The players, their coaches and their fans all deserve a shout for showing great spirit and for a great season.
The Lady Rebels also have much to be proud of this year. The basketball team made it into the quarter finals and played their hearts out in front of the home crowd.
The Rebels also made it into the playoffs this year and suffered a tough loss.
It was an exciting season for all the teams and they are to be admired for their hard work and determination.