HomeMy WebLinkAboutSynopsis of Chronology and negotiations with TC on regular fee matter.PDFSOUTHERN CAYUGA LAI(E INTERMUNICIPAL WATER COMMISSION
SYNOPSIS OF CHRONOLOGY AND NEGOTIATIONS WITH TOMPKINS COUNTY
ON REGULATORY FEE MATTER
For manv vears prior to and up to 20Q4 - County charged the Commission $600 per year toperfotm regulatory services (such as reviewing reporls prepared by the Commission on watertesting and water quality, conducting inspections,-advisingof newregulations, etc).
December. 2003 - County adopts new fee schedule, ranging from g105 for operators of
systems serving 1 to 50 customers to $6730 for operatori of systems serving more than 15,000
customers.
ApdUo rultezqq - Exchange of correspondence between Commission attorney JohnBamey and Health Department attorney Bruce Wilson regarding Commission's problems withthe fees.
Jurv 22,2004 - Meeting between attorneys to try and resolve matter.
August. 2004 - Further correspondence from County' attorney,but no willingness to
change fee structure.
December" 2004 - Notwithstanding Commission's objections to the 2004 increase in fees,
County adopts a fuilher revised fee schedule for 2005 increasing the fees to $120 for small
operators up to $7920 for larger operators including the commission.
April4' 2005 - NY State Department of Health approves County Municipal Health Services
Plan including the 2004 fee schedule.
April' 2005 - Commission decides to commence lawsuit for a determination of legality of fees.
April2l' 2005 - County Health Board, even though it never responded positively to any
communication from the Commission, expressed unhappiness about the Commission
considering a lawsuit in a letter to the Commission, uttd ruggested a meeting be held with
Commission representatives.
Mav 10" 2005 - Representatives of the Commission meet with County Health Board and
attempts to present the talking points attached. County Health Board reiterates its position that itis right and the Commission is wrong and makes no change to the fee structure.
{+tn+ggq$,20Q.5 - Further exchange of correspondence between Commission and CountyHealth Board without any change in County's position.
Decgmber 2.2005 - County adopts budget for 2006 maintaining the Health Depanmentregulatory fee structure the same as in place for 2005.
December 9. 2005 -_ Commission representatives meet with County Administrator Whicher,County Legislative Chairman Josephi, County Attorney Woods and others to presentcommission's position on the illegality and unfairness of the fees.
Januarv 27.2006 - Mr. Whicher writes that the County sees no legal problem with the feestructure but advises the issue of the faimess of the fees is being considered at a meeting of theCounty's Health and Human Services Committee and invites attendance by the Commission,srepresentatives.
March 1.2006 - Commission representatives meet with the Health and Human ServicesCommittee. No change in the County,s position.
March 9. 2006 - Commission meets and resolves to institute lawsuit, and to seek participationfrom all member municipalities in the lawsuit.
l
Norma Mann
From:
Sent:
To:
Gc:
Subject:
Attachments:
Walter R. Lynn [wrl1@cornell.edu]
Tuesday, March 14,2006 4:21 pM
Norma Manning
dat@millermayer.com
Fwd: Draft Resolution
CountyFeeMun i ResVCH.doc; CountyFeeDisputesynop#ATBgB.doc
CountyFeeM un i RCountyFeeDisput
;VCH.doc(656 B;ynop#A7B98.do
ofma:
Attached is the information that should be provided to the Trustees
regarding the resolution which is also attached. We will need to do
this obn Monday.
Walter
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Subiect: Draft Resolution
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2006 15:59:37 -0500
Thread-Topic : D taft Resolution
Thtead-Index:AcZHqjlVBwclmgXeekiTMe$[ia5izpw=-
From: ttPaul Tunisontt <pft@twcny.rr.com)
To: "Walter Lynn (E-mail)r' <wdL@cornell.edu)
Hi Walter,
Attached to this e-mail is a draft resolution concerning the potential legal proceeding
against the County. Also attachedis a timeline of events leading.rp to the Commissionts
decision to file a suit against the County. Let me know if you *uttt me to e-mail these filesdirectly to Norma.
Take care,
Paul
( ( CountyFeeMuniResVCH.doc ) ) ( ( CountyFeeDisputesynopsis3-L4-06.doc) )
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