The Washington County Board of Supervisors approved proceeding with obtaining voluntary agreements with property owners of the six homes with non-compliant sewer systems in Richmond and Rubio. County Attorney Larry Brock drafted the documents needed for home owners to voluntarily sign up to allow the county to install proper systems as well as the paper work necessary should the county have to legally abate the issue.

He explained that the cost of the systems will be paid in 10 installments on taxes and the supervisors will set the interest rates. Brock stated the supervisors may want to set the interest rate lower for the voluntary systems as an incentive.

Supervisor Jack Seward expressed his gratitude for the leaders and communities in Richmond and Rubio who have helped with the project. Seward added a fund for the systems has been created through Habitat for Humanity.

If these systems are not compliant by the deadline, the county may be fined up to $5,000 daily by the DNR and $10,000 daily by the Environmental Protection Agency.