Additional funds located to help with septic systems

STAFF REPORT

WARREN — Trumbull County residents with a failed septic system who meet eligibility guidelines have another chance to participate in a federal stimulus program that provides 75 percent of the funding for a new or upgraded septic system.

Julie Green, grants coordinator for the Trumbull County Planning Commission, said Trumbull County has qualified for an additional $119,100 in funds from the program through the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and Ohio Department of Health.

That money will be matched with an additional $39,700 from Trumbull County commissioners for a total additional amount of $158,800.

The property owner who receives the new or upgraded septic system will pay back the county’s share over time as it’s added to his property taxes.

The average cost of a septic system is $16,000. Green said she is accepting phone calls to find five to seven additional homeowners to participate.

An additional five property owners qualified based on previous applications, but Green needs to find an additional five to seven homeowners to have sufficient numbers of people ready to participate in the program, she said.

It’s not clear how many more people will actually receive new or upgraded septic systems, she said. It will depend on how much each system costs.

Fifteen property owners qualified during the first round of the program and have already received their new septic systems, Green said.

Trumbull County qualified for additional stimulus money because some other counties were unable to use their allotment of funds because they could not meet the requirements of the program, and their funds are being made available to counties such as Trumbull that have succeeded in meeting the requirements.

In order for a homeowner to qualify, he or she must live in and own their own home or be in a recorded land contract with the owner, be current on real estate taxes or be enrolled in a tax- payment plan with the county treasurer, have a failed septic system as per the Trumbull County Board of Health and be eligible by income.

The income limits are: one person, $21,660; two, $29,140; three, $36,620; four, $44,100; five, $51,580; six, $59,060; seven, $66,540; and eight, $74,020.

The grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Call Green at (330) 675-2480 for more information.