The HOA learned earlier this year that parts of our neighborhood are not included in the Delaware County Drainage Maintenance Program, which leaves homeowners and our HOA at risk of being financially responsible for maintenance, repairs and any damage caused by the storm water systems on their property.
This program keeps stormwater systems functioning with regular inspections and maintenance, and provides repairs if needed. Currently, Section 1 and Section 2 of our neighborhood are not on this program. These two sections were built before a 1998 Delaware County policy change requiring all new developments be placed on the maintenance program. Section 3 was built after this policy change and is included in the program, which appears as a special assessment on homeowner property taxes of around $30.00.
We believe adding Sections 1 and 2 of our neighborhood is the right choice to protect our neighborhood, homes and property values, maintain the stormwater infrastructure of our entire subdivision, and protect homeowners and the HOA from unexpected costly maintenance and repairs.
On May 19, we filed a petition with ten homeowner signatures with the Delaware County Clerk’s office to request these sections be added to the program and pay a $1500 bond. One valid signature was required.
What’s Next
- The Delaware County Commission holds a Viewing and 1st Reading on the project. Homeowners will be notified via certified mail when it is scheduled and can provide public comment on the topic.
- If approved, the bond is returned and Delaware County Soil & Water assesses the existing drainage infrastructure and issues a report on any improvements needed to the existing infrastructure, and estimates the cost of the improvements and value of the infrastructure to be maintained. This could take up to a year.
- The County Commission holds a Final Hearing to determine if the sections can be added to the program and the amount of the assessment. Homeowners will be notified via certified mail when it is scheduled and can provide public comment.
- If approved, the assessment is added to the homeowner property taxes. The county engineer’s office and Soil & Water can then conduct any necessary improvements or repairs and begin annual inspections.
The Soil & Water employee assisting us with this effort said the best analogy for this program is that it elevates the storm water system in our subdivision to something like a public utility. Other neighborhoods, including Wedgewood Place, have completed this same process, and we think it is the best option for our neighborhood.
We will not know the amount of the annual assessment until the county completes their inspection of the system.
If you have questions, please reference the following county resources: