Item I5-
CM
ounty of onroe
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Mayor Heather Carruthers, District 3
Mayor Pro Tem George Neugent, District 2
TheFloridaKeys
Danny L. Kolhage, District 1
David Rice, District 4
Sylvia J. Murphy, District 5
County Commission Meeting
August 17, 2016
Agenda Item Number: I.5
Agenda Item Summary #1787
BULK ITEM: DEPARTMENT:
No Planning/Environmental Resources
TIME APPROXIMATE:STAFF CONTACT:
Rich Jones (305) 289-2805
N/A
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Discussion regarding the Keys-wide Mobile Vessel Pumpout
Service (Pumpout Service), consideration for charging customers of the service, and direction
regarding State funding which is available for the next year for the Pumpout Service.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
The Board of County Commissioners (Board) approved an Agreement
with Pumpout USA (Contractor) on December 12, 2012 (Attachment 1), to provide free Keys-Wide
Mobile Vessel Pumpout Service (Service) in the unincorporated areas of the Florida Keys, beginning
January 1, 2013. The term of the Agreement was for two years, with a provision for two additional
two-year terms. The Monroe County cost for the Service was $340,200 in the first year (during
startup of the Service) and $329,223 in the second year. The Agreement required continuous,
sufficient funding assistance from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Clean
Vessel Act (CVA) Program to the Contractor.
The Agreement has been amended several times, and at the March 18, 2015 BOCC meeting, the
Board approved Amendment No. 5, which provided for an increased cost of (up to) $379,800 per
year, associated with an increase in the monthly quota from 1300 to 1500 pumpouts, and extended
the Agreement for an additional two years through March 31, 2017. At that meeting the Board
discussed the need to consider charging for the Service at the end of the term.
At the September 16, 2015 BOCC meeting, staff described the upcoming shift of DEP - CVA grant
funding awards from the Contractor directly to the County, and an additional $100,000 in funds
anticipated to be provided by the State to help offset costs for the Service. At that time, the Board
inquired as to what other mobile pumpout programs throughout the State charge for such service.
Attachment 2 includes information on the other mobile pumpout programs in Florida.
At the November 17, 2015 BOCC meeting, the Board approved Amendment No. 6 to the Pumpout
USA Agreement (Attachment 3) which provides up to $729,800 to be paid by the County for the
Service (and references both the $100,000 in State reimbursement funding (i.e., non-CVA funding)
and $250,000 in CVA grant funding to help offset the total cost of the Service), and revised the
extension of the Service to run through October 31, 2016, to coincide with the new CVA grant's
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expiration date. Amendment No. 6 also provides for one additional two-year period. The Board
indicated that the beginning of the next Agreement period (November 1, 2016) could be the date to
establish a fee for Service, if, indeed, the Board decided to establish such a fee.
Staff has provided Attachment 2, Considerations for Charging for Service, to assist with the
discussion for the August 17, 2016 BOCC meeting, and includes: A background/summary of the
and funding sources for other similar programs in Florida, and options and considerations for
Background on the
Former Mobile Pumpout Service in Key Largo, which describes the former County pumpout
program that was run internally, and describes the issues and considerations related to charging for
that previous service.
-17 (note that
DEP has indicated that the Legislature is providing funding to help offset the cost to Monroe County
and eliminate the need to charge customers). Additionally, CVA is providing $172,350 in grant
funding to help provide for the full cost of the Service (totaling $729,800). Both agreements will be
retroactive to July 1, 2016. Due to the changes in funding sources and levels for the Service, the
Pumpout Service Agreement will need to be amended to reflect funding sources and where the
quarterly payments to Pumpout USA will be made from, and to ensure synchronization of beginning
and ending dates among the agreements.
Staff has provided information in Attachment 2 that includes the above-described funding for the
next year of Service, as well as future funding options including charging for the Service. All three
agreements (DEP, CVA and Pumpout USA) have been provided in the Board agenda (following this
discussion item) for consideration of approval.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
October 2011- Denial of resolution to eliminate $5 charge for Key Largo pumpout service
March 2012- Approval of recommendation to eliminate $5 charge for Key Largo pumpout service
December 2012- Approval of Agreement with Pumpout USA
March 2013- Approval of Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement with Pumpout USA
July 2013- Approval of Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement with Pumpout USA
September 2014- Direction to amend the Agreement extending service for two additional years
November 2014- Direction to send a letter to CVA requesting sufficient funding to the Contractor
December 2014- Approval of Amendment No. 3 to the Agreement with Pumpout USA
January 2015- Approval of Amendment No.4 to the Agreement with Pumpout USA
March 2015- Approval of Amendment No.5 to the Agreement with Pumpout USA
November 2015- Approval of Amendment No.6 to the Agreement with Pumpout USA
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends not charging for pumpouts.
DOCUMENTATION:
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Attachment 1- original Agreement for pumpout service
Attachment 2- Considerations for Charging for Service
Attachment 2b- communication from DEP regarding charging
Attachment 3- Amendment No. 6 to Agreement
Attachment 4- Background on the Former Mobile Pumpout Service in Key Largo
Attachment A- Oct 19, 2011 BOCC minutes
Attachment B- March 21, 2012 BOCC minutes
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Effective Date:
Expiration Date:
Total Dollar Value of Contract:
Total Cost to County:
Current Year Portion:
Budgeted:
Source of Funds:
CPI:
Indirect Costs:
Estimated Ongoing Costs Not Included in above dollar amounts:
Revenue Producing: If yes, amount:
Grant:
County Match
:
Insurance Required:
Additional Details:
REVIEWED BY:
Mayte Santamaria Completed 07/31/2016 2:28 PM
Assistant County Administrator Christine Hurley Skipped
07/31/2016 2:27 PM
Peter Morris Completed 08/01/2016 10:33 AM
Jaclyn Carnago Completed 08/01/2016 10:36 AM
Budget and Finance Skipped 07/31/2016 2:26 PM
Maria Slavik Skipped 07/31/2016 2:27 PM
Mayte Santamaria Completed 08/01/2016 11:14 AM
Kathy Peters Completed 08/01/2016 11:29 AM
Board of County Commissioners Pending 08/17/2016 9:00 AM
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Mobile Vessel Pumpout Program- Considerations for Charging for Service
Background/Summary of the Pumpout Service Agreement (Agreement
)
Monroe County contracted with Pumpout USA (Contractor) to provide mobile vessel pumpout
service in the unincorporated areas of the Florida Keys, beginning January 1, 2013. The original
Agreement provided for free pumpout service to boaters at anchor and at marinas (with priority
given to marinas without pumpouts), with a target quota of 1300 pumpouts per month at a cost of
up to $340,200 to the County in the first year (see Pumpout Service Funding table below). The
The County cost is
cost per pumpout to the County in 2013 (based on the quota) was $21.80.
paid from County Boating Improvement Funds (BIF) which is derived entirely from
recreational vessel registration fees
.
The Agreement required continuous, sufficient funding assistance from the Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Program to help provide for the full
The CVA Program receives funding through the U.S. Fish &
cost of the pumpout service.
Wildlife Service (Sportfish Recreation Account), which is generated from boaters and
anglers through excise taxes paid on fishing tackle and motorboat fuels
The funding level
from CVA in 2013 was $494,802 and the combined cost (CVA - County) was $835,002 which
translates to $56.40 per pumpout. In the third year of service (2015), the County increased its
service cost to $379,800 annually, based on an increase in the quota to 1500 pumpouts/month,
while CVA funding awards to the Contractor were significantly reduced (however that reduction
was partially offset by a $100,000 State appropriation). This resulted in a reduced combined
funding level of $686,336 and a reduction in the total cost per pumpout to $41.14.
Pumpout Service Funding
Calendar Maximum Pumpout Quota Average Cost
Funding Source
Year Funding Level (per month) Per Pumpout
County: $340,200
$21.80
2013
$494,802 1300
$34.60
CVA Award:
(began Feb)
$56.40
Total: $835,002
County: $329,223
$21.10
2014
$34.60
CVA Award: $539,825 1300
Total: $869,048
$55.70
County: $367,156
$22.80
Legislative Funding: $16,667
$18.34
1300 (Jan-Mar)
(from 100k)(11-1-15 to 12-30-15)
2015
(combined state)
1500 (Apr-Dec)
CVA Award: $302,514
Total: $686,337
$41.14
$189,900
County:
(1-1-16 to 6-30-16)
$12.15
$28,725
County:
(7-1-16 to 12-31-16)
Legislative Funding:
$83,333
2016
1500
(from 100k)
(1-1-16 to 6-30-16)
(projected)
$28.39
Legislative Funding:
$250,000
(combined state)
(from 500k)
(7-1-16 to 12-31-16)
CVA Award: $177,842
Total: $729,800
$40.54
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Considerations for Charging Customers
On March 18, 2015, the Board approved a new two year Agreement for pumpout service
(Service), and directed staff to begin thinking about charging for the service, subsequent to the
end of the Agreement term (March 31, 2017).
On September 16, 2015, during a discussion item on the pumpout service, staff reported to the
Board that future CVA grants would be provided directly to the County rather than the
Contractor. Staff indicated concern that if fees are collected it may cause a significant reduction
in participation in the program, as well as an increase in the overall cost of the program due to
the collection and administration of fees, thereby negatively impacting water quality. The Board
asked how other mobile pumpout services around the State fund their programs. The following
table provides information from mobile pumpout programs throughout the State, and how the
programs are funded. Most of the mobile pumpout programs provide free pumpout to all users.
Others are free to mooring field users, and charge $5 for anchor-outs. Only the City of Ft. Myers
Beach charges more than $5 (currently $15), but they are pursuing CVA grant funds so they can
reduce the fee to $5. The City of Marathon is the only locality to perform more than 200
pumpouts per week (other than Monroe County). Martin County is the only other locality to
serve an entire County.
As of November 1, 2015 the CVA Program did begin providing grant funding for the Service
directly to the County, and the Board approved a CVA grant contract for $250,000 (running
through October 31, 2016) and a legislative appropriation of $100,000 (running through June 30,
2016). At that same time the Board approved Amendment No.6 to the Agreement with Pumpout
USA, to reflect the same beginning and ending dates for the Service as the CVA grant contract
(ending October 31, 2016), with the option to extend the Service for an additional two year term.
The Board also indicated that it would consider establishing charges for the service subsequent to
the expiration of Amendment No.6.
The State approved an appropriation of $500,000 for the Service as of July 1, 2016. In addition,
the DEP has provided a CVA grant of $229,800 for the Service as of July 1, 2016. Those
funding sources would cover an entire year of Service at the current annual cost of $729,800
(with the exception of a required 25% match for the CVA grant).
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Mobile Vessel Pumpout Services in Florida
Associated Associated
No. of
with with public Service
Location Funding Sources Service Area Vessels
public mooring Charge
Served
marina? field?
52% County BIF
Monroe 14% Leg.
No No Free Keys-wide 1800/month
County appropriation, 34%
CVA
County
Martin 75% CVA waters and
No No Free 84/week
County 25% local government Stuart
mooring field
Crystal 100% local not
No No $5 City waters
River government available
City marinas,
private docks
75% CVA
Clearwater Yes No Free & marinas, 20/week
25% local government
and anchored
out vessels
City marina
Panama 75% CVA
Yes No Free and anchor-20/week
City 25% local government
outs
Included in
mooring fee, Mooring field
Ft.Myers
No Yes $15 for info not available and all City 60/week
Beach
anchored waters.
vessels
St. 75% CVA not
Yes Yes Free City waters
Augustine 25% local government available
Free- included Dinner Key
75% CVA
Miami Yes Yes in mooring marina & 60/week
25% local government
and slip fee mooring field
Free- included
in
75% CVA Boot Key
Marathon Yes Yes mooring/slip 280/week
25% local government Harbor
fee, $5 for all
other vessels
Free- included 50% CVA Mooring field
Sarasota Yes Yes 8/week
in mooring fee 50% local government only
Free- included
Mooring field
St. in 100% local
Yes Yes and marina 200/week
Petersburg mooring/slip government
only
fee
Free- included Mooring field
50% CVA
Titusville Yes Yes in mooring and marina 10/week
50% local government
and slip fee only
City marina
Punta 75% CVA
Yes Yes Free and anchor-50/week
Gorda 25% local government
outs
Free- included 100% local mooring field
Key West Yes Yes 40/week
in mooring fee government only
marina and
Vero Free- included 100% local
Yes Yes mooring field 80/week
Beach in mooring fee government
only
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The Pumpout Service is one of the significant achievements of the County, by reducing the
illegal discharge of sewage from vessels and assisting boaters in complying with regulations of
the federal No Discharge Zone in the Florida Keys. Currently the Service performs an average
of approximately 1800 pumpouts per month (with a quota of 1500 pumpouts per month)
removing and disposing of approximately 25,000 gallons of sewage monthly.
The greatest issue with charging a fee is reduced participation and effectiveness of the pumpout
program; however, logistical issues also exist including fee collection and administration. The
fees would either be collected by the Contractor, or a system could be developed by which
boaters go into a County office and prepay for pumpouts (eliminating involvement by the
Contractor in handling money), or other system. If the Contractor collects the fees it will create
a logistical issue of the boater having to be on the boat for the pumpout (which is not typically
the case), and the Contractor would likely increase his cost per pumpout to cover the additional
work. If the County collects the fees it will require additional staffing to administer the fee
collection and issuance of some type of token (or other) for the boater to receive pumpout/s.
Additional considerations for charging should include:
Decreased participation will result in increased sewage discharged into the water
Cost per pumpout is approximately $40, with the County covering $12 of the $40 (based
on the approval of new State funding).
The remaining cost of the Service is currently subsidized by the State (2016).
State funding initially paid for approximately 59% of the program funding (with Pumpout
USA being the grantee). State funding was then reduced in 2015 providing for
approximately 44% of the cost.
State funding has substantially increased in 2016 and currently may pay for 70% of the
program funding (with the County being the grantee). Current CVA funding runs
through June 30, 2017 (based on the approval of new State funding).
While certain residents on land have concerns with the free service, boat owners and
anglers (who pay for the program through vessel registration, and excise taxes paid on
fishing tackle and motorboat fuels) have not commented.
Charging customers of the service would require collection of fees, creating logistical
issues and potentially increasing the cost of the Service.
Monroe County is one of five participants in the Anchoring and Mooring Pilot Program
established by F.S. 327.4105, which provides the authority for the Monroe County Anchoring
and Mooring Ordinance No.009-2013. The Ordinance, approved by the FWC which administers
the Pilot Program, is based on the provision of free pumpout Service, helping to ensure
participation and compliance in managed anchoring zones implemented by the Ordinance. The
Ordinance, and the FWC Anchoring and Mooring Pilot Program, will expire July 1, 2017 (unless
extended by the Legislature). CurrentManaged
Anchoring Zone, within which proof of pumpout is required. If fees are charged for pumpout
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service a reduction in compliance with the proof of pumpout requirement regulation is
anticipated. The description of the need to provide free pumpout service is provided in the
following Whereas in the recital of the Ordinance:
WHEREAS
, it is the intention of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners to
optimize the incentive for vessel owners, who contribute to Boating Improvement Funds
through vessel registration fees and contribute to DEP Clean Vessel Act Program funds
through marine fuel taxes, to properly pumpout and comply with existing sewage
discharge regulations within the federal No Discharge Zone in the Keys, by providing
free pumpout service to vessels located in managed anchoring zones and which are
served by the County pumpout program.
Funding for the Next Year of Pumpout Service:
Based on the legislative allocation of $500,000 for the pumpout service, and available CVA
funding and funds budgeted from BIF, the following is provided for funding the Pumpout
Note that the DEP has indicated that
Service for the next year (July 1, 2016 June 30, 2017).
the Legislature is providing funding to help offset the cost to Monroe County and eliminate
the need to charge customers.
Pumpout Service Annual Cost= $729,800
Funding Available:
$500,000 + $229,800 = Need met
(Legislative appropriation) (75% CVA / 25% BIF)
Funding forJuly 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 provides for the annual cost of the service, with
the only cost to the County coming from BIF to provide for the 25% CVA match ($57,450). The
by $322,350.
Funding/Charging Options for Future Years of Service:
Legislative appropriations for funding assistance for the Pumpout Service were provided for in
. While the County will continue to pursue legislative
appropriation legislative funding may not be relied on for
future years of Pumpout Service. Future appropriations may include the same restrictions on
charging. Staff has provided options for funding for the Service beyond the next year (to
decrease subsidizing the Service) based on various customer charging levels. Any difference
between the annual cost of the service and funds generated from charging could be provided by
CVA and/or BIF.
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Options for Charging for Pumpout Service
Boaters
Option/Fee Pros Cons
Pay?
Requires fee collection and administration; may increase
Generate $90,000 per year total cost of pumpout program
$5 charge typically allowed by CVA Results in increased program cost, staff time, or both
Option 1
Charge $5
Would cause some reduction in participation; sewage
potentially dumped into nearshore waters
88% of service cost would continue to be subsidized
Requires fee collection and administration; may increase
Generate $180,000 per year total cost of pumpout program
$10 charge requires approval by
CVA Results in increased program cost, staff time, or both
Option 2
Charge $10 Would cause more reduction in participation; sewage
potentially dumped into nearshore waters
Boaters
75% of service cost would continue to be subsidized
pay fees:
both a
CVA may not allow fee; County would pay unmet costs
reg. fee
Requires fee collection and administration; may increase
and a
Generate $360,000 per year total cost of pumpout program
pumpout
Covers approx. half of the total cost Results in increased program cost, staff time, or both
fee
Would cause significant reduction in participation; sewage
Option 3
potentially dumped into nearshore waters
Charge $20
50% of service cost would continue to be subsidized
No CVA funding provided
County would continue to pay unmet costs
Requires fee collection and administration; may increase
Generate $720,000 per year total cost of pumpout program
Covers approximately the total cost Results in increased program cost, staff time, or both
Option 4
Charge $40
Service would no longer be Participation in the program would be near zero; sewage
subsidized potentially dumped into nearshore waters
No CVA funding provided
Note that when receiving CVA funding, any customer charges would require approval by
USFWS (which prefers no pumpout charges). Typically CVA (and USFWS) does allow a $5
charge, but would have to provide approval for such a charge (or additional charges). Also CVA
policy requires that any funds generated from customer charges be deducted from grant
reimbursements. For example, if the County receives a CVA grant for $365,500 (half the annual
cost of the Service) and generates $365,500 in customer charges, the County would receive $0 in
CVA reimbursement.
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Jones-Rich
From:Wood, Rebecca <Rebecca.Wood@dep.state.fl.us>
Sent:Friday, June 10, 2016 12:01 PM
To:Jones-Rich
Subject:!RE: upcoming $500,000 appropriation...
Attachments:Proposed Monroe County calculations by Agreement FY16-17.xlsx
Hi Rich,
To answer your questions from your last correspondence just prior to vacation:
1.Monroe County should not charge for pumpout service on the $500K line item appropriation.
2.Monroe County can charge for pumpout service in the maximum amount of $5/pumpout in a CVA agreement;
however, the total amount collected must be deducted from the total reimbursement sought.
3.DEP may only release the funds from the $500K line item appropriation on a quarterly basis. ($125,000/quarter)
4.Monroe County may continue to provide the same level of service as in previous contracts (4,500/quarter or
18,000/year)
In order to meet the needs of Monroe County and to make the accounting process as easy as able, I’ve attached a
spreadsheet outlining DEP’s thoughts.Basically, we will have to separate, non-contingent agreements in place.The first
for the $500K line item appropriation will be a standard two-party contract in which you will submit an invoice for the
pumpouts performed at a fixed cost and will include the Return on Investment requirements set forth by the Governor’s
Office like last year. The second will be a CVA (75%/25%) reimbursement grant agreement in which receipts will be
required for reimbursement. The current CVA agreement in place would be terminated to allow for broader scope of
work language so we do not bind the ability to reimburse based on captain salaries, etc.Please take a look and let me
know if we can walk through it together when you are back in the office next week.I have already started drafting both
th
agreements and anticipate we can get out to you in time for the July 20board meeting (assuming we follow each
other’s train of thought).
Have a great weekend!
Rebecca Wood
Program Coordinator, Office of Operations
Carr Building, Room 301E
rebecca.wood@dep.state.fl.us
Office: 850.245.2314
.
Please take our Customer Survey to provide feedback on our services!Select “Office of Operations” for my DivisionDEP
Customer Survey
From:Jones-Rich [mailto:Jones-Rich@MonroeCounty-FL.Gov]
Sent:Thursday, June 09, 2016 6:22 PM
To:Wood, Rebecca <Rebecca.Wood@dep.state.fl.us>
Subject:Re: upcoming $500,000 appropriation...
Hey. Lennie had mentioned using the 500k then using the cva funding which seemed to make sense.Let me know your
ideas. Thx, rich
1
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Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 9, 2016, at 3:53 PM, "Wood, Rebecca" <Rebecca.Wood@dep.state.fl.us> wrote:
Rich,
I’m actually meeting with Lennie this afternoon todiscuss. I’ll be in touch again before I leave this
evening.I anticipate we could have the draft to you before June 20. One quick question, do you want to
enter into a separate CVA contract from the $500K which of course would require 25% match? I believe I
have a solution that could keep the two independent of each other, but would cover your cost of
$729,800 per year for the program.
Rebecca Wood
Program Coordinator, Office of Operations
<image001.png>
Carr Building, Room 301E
rebecca.wood@dep.state.fl.us
Office: 850.245.2314
Please take our Customer Survey to provide feedback on our services!Select “Officeof Operations” for
.
my DivisionDEP Customer Survey
From:Jones-Rich [mailto:Jones-Rich@MonroeCounty-FL.Gov]
Sent:Thursday, June 9, 2016 2:29 PM
To:Leonard, Brenda <Brenda.Leonard@dep.state.fl.us>
Cc:Santamaria-Mayte <Santamaria-Mayte@MonroeCounty-FL.Gov>; Morris-Peter <Morris-
Peter@MonroeCounty-FL.Gov>; Hitchins-Celia <Hitchins-Celia@MonroeCounty-FL.Gov>
Subject:RE: upcoming $500,000 appropriation...
Hey Brenda-any word on the $500,000 legislative money for the pumpout project??And info would be
appreciated.
I’ll be back in the office Monday, but my director is asking me if we need to put and agenda item on the
July BOCC agenda.My guess is that you won’t have anything in time (I would need a contract by June
th
20or so), but wanted to see.
Thx,
Rich Jones
From:Hurley-Christine
Sent:Wednesday, June 08, 2016 3:30 PM
To:Jones-Rich
Cc:Santamaria-Mayte; Morris-Peter; Hitchins-Celia
Subject:RE: upcoming $500,000 appropriation...
Is anything going to be on the bocc agenda for this for July?
From:Jones-Rich
Sent:Friday, March 18, 2016 4:42 PM
To:Hurley-Christine
Cc:Santamaria-Mayte; Morris-Peter; Hitchins-Celia
Subject:upcoming $500,000 appropriation...
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Christine-as per our conversation a few moments ago regarding issues we’ve encountered with our
current $100,000 contract (which was provided by, and is administered by CVA), Peter Morris and I will
work towards trying to have the upcoming contract with the State for the $500,000 appropriation for
pumpout services in FY’16-17 be administered by a non-CVA office of DEP.
Thanks,
Richard Jones
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Background on the Former Mobile Pumpout Service in Key Largo
Prior to contracting for Keys-wide mobile vessel pumpout service, the County operated a mobile
vessel pumpout service in Key Largo (Service). That Service ran from 2005 through January
2013, and included one pumpout vessel and one pumpout captain. The Service faced many
challenges including inclement weather, proper staffing, fee collection, vessel/equipment
breakdowns, and low participation levels.
One of the primary logistical issues with the Service was the collection of the $5 fee, which was
established at the implementation of the Service. After recognizing the difficulties associated
with the fee collection, including vessel occupants not being on their vessel at the time of the
pumpout, staff took agenda Item H-14 before the Board at its October 19, 2011 BOCC meeting
recommending to eliminate the fee. The recommendation was unanimously denied (see
Attachment A).
During late 2011 and early 2012 Commissioner Murphy held a series of working group meetings
with enforcement agency representatives, staff and other interested parties to address increasing
liveaboard boater/anchorage issues in the Key Largo area. During those meetings the
participants discussed difficulties with the Service and lack of participation by many liveaboards.
The group members identified the following elements related to the Service and the need to
improve the Service by eliminating the $5 charge:
1-Boaters pay marine fuel taxes- a portion of which goes to USFWS, t
Clean Vessel Act Program, which then goes to the County to offset costs of the pumpout
program.
2-Boaters pay registration fees- a portion of which goes to Boating Improvement Funds,
which is used by the County to offset the costs of the pumpout program.
3-Eliminating the $5 pumpout fee- optimizes participation in the program. Many boaters
will not get a pumpout if there is any fee at all.
4-Administration of the $5 pumpout fee- is staff resource intensive and has to be accounted
for (goes through several hands and requires documentation at several points in the
process).
5-Exchanging the $5- is not practical as often the person is not on the boat, and leaving $5
in a ziplock bag sometimes has unintended consequences (the money is sometimes
taken).
6-Safety- it is not safe for the pumpout operator to carry money on the pumpout vessel.
7-USFWS prefers that there is no fee- the CVA program administrator has indicated that
the USFWS prefers that the pumpouts are free, but they allow us to charge $5.
8-Other pumpout programs in the state- indicate that having no fee optimizes participation,
and greatly reduces administrative costs.
Commissioner Murphy took those concerns before the Board at its March 21, 2012, BOCC
meeting (Item M-8) for discussion and asked for approval to eliminate the $5 pumpout fee. The
agenda item backup indicated the above list of elements, and the agenda item background
indicated that the information may change the direction of the Board regarding having a pumpout
fee. The agenda item was approved 3-2 (see Attachment B) and the County immediately stopped
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charging for the Service. Participation in the Service did increase immediately, as indicated in
the below graphs.
During period of $5 pumpout charge:
(note that the pumpout vessel was out of service from Sept-Dec 2011)
One year later with no pumpout charge:
While the increase in participation indicated above may have been affected by additional factors,
the data does support the concern that charging for pumpouts significantly reduces boater
participation.
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