TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
DATE: April 9, 2025
SUBJECT: Interlocal Agreement with City of Sebastian Community Redevelopment Agency concerning Sebastian CRA Septic to Sewer Project
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BACKGROUND
At our Joint City - County Meeting one of the key issues discussed was septic to sewer. Utilities Director Sean Lieseke presented on septic to sewer and the mandates included in Florida House Bill 1379 (signed into law in 2023). The legislation mandates a shift from septic systems to central sanitary sewer system (where available) or the installation of enhanced nutrient-reducing septic systems by July 1, 2030. The City expressed that in addition to planning and providing sanitary sewer services in the City, the Sebastian CRA Septic to Sewer Project, with properties generally located along or in close proximity to the Indian River Lagoon, as a high priority project.
County and City and staff has been meeting over the past 15 months discussing and planning this project. In January 2022, the City received a Septic to Sewer Conversion Evaluation Report related to the CRA redevelopment area. The report identified 188 sites within the CRA, 96 sites that are developed, not connected to sewer and utilizing septic systems, and 92 sites that are vacant where there is no connection to sewer. Indian River County Utilities staff evaluated the 2022 report and internally designed a conceptual project plan to install thirteen (13) sewer mains within the CRA, seven (7) of the sewer mains are proposed to be located within existing rights-of-way and six (6) will require easements from property owners.
Following the conceptual design of septic to sewer project, the County and the City discussed how the project could be accomplished through a partnership for the public infrastructure, specifically installing sanitary sewer mains. This project will enable ...
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