This past weekend, David Hunt of the Florida Times-Union wrote an article about the groundbreaking of a $2.8 million project that would bring a poor Northside community onto the city's sewer system.  The project, which was funded by federal and St. Johns River Water Management District grants, is being overseen by Jacksonville's Water and Sewer Expansion Authority.

JaxPoliticsOnline.com looked at the Water and Sewer Expansion Authority several weeks ago, questioning whether or not their department was duplicating services that JEA already (or could easily) provide.  We asked those questions because of the controversy that arose at a recent WSEA Board Meeting where the board voted to grant across-the-board raises to WSEA's employees, despite the concerns of several board members that raises would not look good in a time of "belt tightening" around the city.

The WSEA was created in 2003 to allow voluntary connections to the city's sewer system.  In a 2005 interview with the Times-Union, Sherry Hall, the former communications director for the WSEA, said that, under the system, residents could borrow from WSEA's original $5 million seed to pay for construction to bring water and sewer services into their neighborhoods.  The loans would be made at market interest rates and could be paid back over a 30-year period. The expansion authority would also contribute up to 30 percent of that cost.  That 30 percent; however, was a one-time offer. Those who did not accept the city aid at the time, do not have the option of later participating.  They would have to pay the same amount as their neighbors without the 30 percent contribution or the loan option.

In addition to the costs to bring the water and/or sewer lines to the neighborhood, the city estimates that current costs are between $3,500 and $15,000 per household to flush, empty and remove a septic tank, then connect to the sewer according to a Times-Union article from earlier this year,

The Executive Director of the WSEA has seen his compensation nearly double since he was hired in 2004.  His original salary was covered by JEA, but WSEA now pays him a consultant fee of $315,000.  According to recent council auditor's report , the WSEA is now capped at 3 employees (communications director, asst. communications director & GIS specialist).  These 3 employees have a current budgeted salary expense of $175,000 plus benefits---this in addition to the consulting contract with WSEA's Executive Director.  Because of the raises voted on by WSEA's board, despite the objections of its chair, salary expense for those three employees will rise to $182,000 this year plus benefits and the consulting fee for the Executive Director will rise to $326,000.

The WSEA is proposing to trim its travel budget next year---to $5,000.  In previous years, they have budgeted $20,000 for travel.  This year's budget was $10,000.  Nevertheless, that expense seems to have been rather high for a department that finances sewer hook-ups, particularly when the department has only 3 staff members plus a consultant.

The question for the City Council to answer as the WSEA prepares to present its proposed budget to the Council, is why couldn't JEA be doing the same thing?

Seminole County, the central Florida county that emerged victorious from a contentious St. Johns River Water Management District hearing held to review their request to draw up to 5.5 million gallons of water from the river each day, has upped the ante in their efforts to shut down public opposition to their plans.  After the St. Johns Riverkeeper filed an appeal to challenge the water withdrawal in the US Fifth District Court of Appeals, Seminole County filed a motion charging that the Riverkeeper's lawsuit was "frivolous."

The County's charge is rather brazen on its face.  They allege that the Riverkeeper does not truly desire to protect the river from withdrawals, but rather used the raiding of water from the St. Johns to "make money." If Seminole County is successful in their motion, the Riverkeeper---a non-profit agency dedicated to advocating for the health of the river---would be forced to reimburse Seminole County's legal fees, which are in the millions.  Of course, Seminole County's legal fees are funded by the taxpayers---the Riverkeeper is forced to rely on donations, something that is increasingly tough in this economic environment.

"We will continue to fight this injustice," said Neil Armingeon of the St. Johns Riverkeeper, "and I can assure you St. Johns Riverkeeper will not be bullied or threatened by Seminole County or any other party whose actions pose a threat to the health of the St. Johns."

Jimmy Orth, the St. Johns Riverkeeper Executive Director, expressed frustration over Seminole County's tactics.  Referring to the legal strategy now being deployed by Seminole County, Orth pointed out how difficult it is for the average citizen to file for an administrative hearing to challenge a decision of the district.  "It is extremely time consuming, very expensive, and difficult to even find 'expert' witnesses who don’t have some tie to the District or are willing to participate in an action against the District," said Orth.  And, that's only the first step.  "[I]f you can overcome these hurdles and are able to file a challenge, you may also be faced with the threat of sanctions to recover fees if you lose."

It hardly seems like representative government.

Feeling pressure from state agencies, the Volusia County Council has tentatively committed to join Seminole County in tapping the St. Johns River as a future water source.

On April 16, just days after the St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board voted 5-4 to allow Seminole County to build a water-treatment plant at Yankee Lake, the County Council voted 4-3 to share that plant.

It's starting to read like a Carl Hiassen novel...

A plan to take water from the St. Johns River to supply growing Central Florida suburbs won approval from a state agency Monday despite pleas from scores of opponents.

“This is the most difficult decision that has come to the board in my term,” said Susan Hughes, chairman of the St. Johns River Water Management District board.

She supported the permit, which the board passed on a 5-4 vote.

The decision allows Seminole County’s utility system to take up to 5.5 million gallons daily for drinking water and lawn watering.

Many critics warned that would open a floodgate of communities wanting to take far more.

This decision is disastrous for Jacksonville and all of North Florida.  The results, once other Central Florida communities realize how easy it is to pull one over on the St. Johns River Water Management District, could be devastating for the long-term health of our St. Johns River.

 Monday, April 13th at 1:00 p.m. 
SJRWMD Headquarters
4049 Reid Street
Palatka, FL 32177

St. Johns Riverkeeper will be providing bus transportation from Jacksonville to Palatka. To reserve a seat on the bus, e-mail Neil Armingeon, the St. Johns Riverkeeper, at narming@ju.edu and type “Bus Trip” in the subject line.