Georgetown, Del., Feb. 5, 2008: Sewer users in the new Miller Creek Sanitary Sewer District will see a pleasant surprise in their first bills now that Sussex County Council has approved a lower annual rate and eliminated another fee altogether.

County Council, at its Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, meeting, set the annual front footage assessment rate at $6.94 per front foot. Revenue collected through the rate will pay off debt incurred to construct the sewer district. Council also nixed the $1,559 one-time connection fee.

Voters in a December 2001 referendum authorized the creation of the district south of the Ocean View area. At the time, County officials estimated an average annual bill of $820.50 for a 75-foot-long lot (including service charges). With the new assessment rate, the County now estimates an average yearly bill of $750.50 – a savings of $70. Nearly 500 users make up the Miller Creek district, which went into service last month.

County Engineer Michael Izzo said the County was able to offer the reduced rate and eliminated fee thanks to lower construction costs and better financing for the debt service.

“Because of those savings, the County is able to turn around and pass along the benefit to the consumer,” Mr. Izzo said. “So our users save money, and the environment benefits from a new, state-of-the-art system. It’s a win-win.”

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