|
Costs Associated With STEP
As a homeowner, there are three main costs to connect to the sewer:
- Construction costs on their property. These costs include paying a licensed contractor to abandon the septic tank and install a lateral line that connects the home to the city sewer. Costs for these services are approximately $2,000, but vary per property.
- A $2,500 sewer connection fee. Homeowners pay the sewer connection fee in one lump sum or over five years if they qualify for city's STEP Financial Assistance Plan.
- The monthly sewer bill. Once your property is connected to the sewer, you will begin receiving a monthly sewer bill. For a family of four, the bill averages less than $20 per month.
The city requires that the sewer connection fee and any other permitting fees and charges be paid before construction permits are issued. The connection fee is $2,500 for single-family homes in STEP areas. The connection fee must be paid before you can connect to the sewer system.
If the connection fee isn't included in your contractor's bid for the work (the other permitting fees and charges are typically included in contractors' bids), then you may pay the connection fee in one of the methods described below.
How to Pay Your $2,500 Connection Fee
1. Pay in person.
Make your payment in person at the Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD), 1200 S. Madison Avenue Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46225. You must go to DMD either before your contractor goes to obtain permits, or at the time he/she is obtaining permits. If you choose this payment option, you must make arrangements with your contractor when you hire him/her to do the work.
Cash, personal checks, and money orders are accepted, as well as Visa and MasterCard with a valid photo ID. Checks and money orders must be payable to the City of Indianapolis.
DMD's lobby hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; noon to 5 p.m. on Wednesday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.
2. Give your contractor a check or money order in a sealed envelope.
Enclose your check or money order in a sealed envelope and give the envelope to your contractor. He/she will take your payment to DMD when he/she goes to obtain construction permits. Do not send cash in this envelope. Ask for a receipt or proof from your contractor that you used this method to pay the connection fee.
3. If your family makes less than $41,900 a year, apply for the STEP Financial Assistance Plan.
The city developed the STEP Financial Assistance Plan to help lower-income residents in STEP project areas pay the $2,500 connection fee over time.
Marion County residents in a STEP project area qualify for the STEP Financial Assistance Plan if their annual household gross income is at or below $41,900.
The Financial Assistance Plan is not a loan. It is an installment plan that allows qualified residents to pay $49 per month, including administrative fees, over 60 months (5 years).
Click here for more information about the Financial Assistance Plan. Call (317) 327-8314 to request an application packet.
|
