SENT LETTER TO BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS!

Indian River County Board of County Commissioners
1801 27th Street
Vero Beach, Florida 32960

RE: Request for Septic Hardship Assistance Program and Evaluation of Lower-Cost Nitrogen-Reducing Systems

Dear Chairman Loar and Commissioners:

I am writing to respectfully ask the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners to take action to help homeowners who are required to remain on private septic systems but may face the financial burden of replacing or upgrading those systems to meet nitrogen-reduction requirements.

I support protecting the Indian River Lagoon, our groundwater, and the health of our community. I believe homeowners can support those environmental goals while also asking the County to recognize the very real financial hardship these requirements can create for elderly, low-income, Social Security, and fixed-income homeowners.

A septic replacement or advanced nitrogen-reducing system can cost approximately $25,000 or more. For a homeowner living on a limited fixed income, that amount can be financially overwhelming and may threaten the homeowner's ability to remain in his or her home.

I am therefore asking the Board to direct County Administrator John Titkanich and the appropriate County departments, including Utility Services, to develop a Septic Hardship Assistance Program and return to the Board with a proposed framework by October 20, 2026.

I respectfully ask that the County investigate the following:

1. A hardship grant program

Create grants for qualifying low-income, elderly, disabled, Social Security, and fixed-income homeowners who cannot connect to centralized sewer and are required to replace or upgrade their septic systems.

2. Assistance for homeowners who do not meet a low-income definition

A second assistance category should be considered for homeowners who do not qualify as low-income or fixed-income but are nevertheless facing a mandatory $25,000+ wastewater expense.

This could be structured as a County cost-share, matching grant, deferred-payment assistance, or another affordable financing mechanism.

3. Use of existing funding sources

Please investigate whether SHIP, CDBG, County funds, state funds, federal programs, DEP resources, USDA programs, nonprofit partnerships, or combinations of these sources could be used to reduce the homeowner's cost.

4. Evaluate all qualifying nitrogen-reduction technologies

I am particularly asking the County not to assume that one particular type of advanced septic technology is the only solution.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection identifies in-ground nitrogen-reducing biofilters (INRBs), nitrogen-reducing NSF 245-certified aerobic treatment units, and nitrogen-reducing performance-based treatment systems as technologies that can be used to meet applicable ENR-OSTDS requirements.

The County should therefore evaluate the total lifetime cost of different permitted technologies—including installation, electricity, maintenance, inspections, replacement components, and expected service life.

In particular, I ask the County to investigate whether a properly designed and permitted passive INRB, biofilter, or bioreactor-type system can meet the applicable nitrogen-reduction standard at a lower lifetime cost than mechanically aerated systems for appropriate properties.

The objective should be to fund the required environmental performance rather than automatically requiring the most expensive technology when another legally permitted technology can achieve the required result.

5. Learn from Brevard County's experience

Brevard County has developed a homeowner septic-upgrade assistance program for properties where centralized sewer is not feasible and has also researched passive treatment technologies. Brevard's program currently provides a minimum $6,000 grant for qualifying properties within its Save Our Indian River Lagoon Project Plan area, with additional program details and eligibility requirements.

Indian River County should examine what has worked in Brevard and determine whether a comparable two-track program could be developed here.

6. Prevent homeowners from being financially harmed twice

For homeowners who are required to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a septic upgrade today, the County should clearly explain what would happen if centralized sewer becomes available in their area later.

Before homeowners make a major investment, they should receive clear written information about potential future connection fees, assessments, sewer charges, decommissioning costs, and whether any credit or other protection would be available.

7. Make assistance available before a crisis

The County should not wait until a homeowner is facing an immediate health, safety, code-enforcement, or financial crisis.

Assistance should be available early enough for homeowners to plan, compare approved technologies, obtain estimates, and apply for funding before they are forced into an unaffordable decision.

Requested Board Action
I respectfully request that the Board of County Commissioners direct County Administrator John Titkanich and the appropriate County departments, including Utility Services, to return to the Board by October 20, 2026, with a proposed framework for a septic hardship and cost-assistance program.

I ask that the proposed framework address:

Income and hardship eligibility;
Senior and fixed-income protections;
Grant amounts and funding limits;
A second cost-share option for homeowners who do not qualify as low-income;
Deferred-payment and forgivable assistance where legally possible;
SHIP and CDBG funding opportunities;
State and federal funding;
Nonprofit and private-sector partnerships;
Direct payment to licensed septic contractors where appropriate;
Assistance with required maintenance;
Evaluation of lower-cost nitrogen-reducing technologies;
The number and location of affected homeowners who cannot connect to centralized sewer;
Protection for homeowners if sewer becomes available later;
Application procedures and timelines; and
The estimated County funding required to establish the program.
This is not a request to weaken environmental protections.

It is a request to make environmental protection financially achievable for the people who are required to comply.

Homeowners should not have to choose between protecting the Indian River Lagoon and keeping the homes they have worked for years to maintain.

I respectfully ask the Board to help find a solution that protects both.

Thank you for your consideration and for your service to the residents of Indian River County.

Respectfully,

Stephanie Garzon

Indian River County Resident