
Jewell said his client was simply wanted an agreement form the county to reserve 600,000 gallons per day for the development.
"There is no allocation reservation process except through the payment of fees," Whisler told the commissioners. Typically, Whisler said, customers or developers pay those fees once their development plans have been approved and they're closer to actually connecting to the system. Whisler estimated that if the county agreed to provide sewer services, the developer would have to pay about $2 million just to reserve the capacity.
Ruffin said he hoped to have feedback from the city by the commissioners' meeting on Sept. 26, and the public may comment on the idea at that meeting. Commissioners could vote then or at their following meeting Oct. 3, but board Chairman Michael Page said he would like the board to decide soon.
Commissioner Joe Bowser said he wanted to grant the sewer capacity because it would help the project move forward.
"I want to see this project built out," Bowser said. "First, our people need jobs, and second, we need to do something about our tax base in this community." He commented, too, that if the county considered providing sewer services, city leaders might reconsider their postponement of a decision on utilities. If the city offered water and sewer services to 751 South, it could charge double rates because the property is outside the city limits. The revenue could be profitable to the city's utility funds, but that revenue would not benefit the city's general budget.
When and if county commissioners decide whether to grant the sewer capacity to Southern Durham Development, it's clear the company would have the support of the majority of commissioners. Page, Bowser and Commissioner Brenda Howerton have all supported the project in the past, and voted last year to grant a zoning change that would allow the dense development in a rural portion of the county. Commissioners Becky Heron, who recently resigned due to health problems, and Ellen Reckhow, opposed the development due to concerns including the potential pollution to nearby Jordan Lake, a drinking water source for thousands of residents.