The stated goal of the Barry County Board of Commissioner’s public listening session, online poll and telephone survey on the controversial Barry Eaton District Health Department TOST regulation is to take the citizen’s input and find ways to improve the rule that has been criticized by many Barry County citizens since its inception 10 years ago.
Commissioner and Chairman Ben Geiger said Tuesday that the results of public input will be discussed at its Oct. 24 board meeting with all of the commissioners expected to weigh in with suggested improvements.
“The results of the feedback will be posted on line Saturday around noon,” he said. “I don’t know if the telephone poll will be included, if not, they will be distributed when they are ready.” He cautioned commissioners they may need a second meeting, possibly Oct. 30. “TOST is an important program for the county and an important issue for a lot of individuals."
In Eaton County in September, a subcommittee of the County Board of Commissioners strongly recommended ceasing participation in TOST to save money during a severe budget crisis, however it was sent back to the committee for language changes and has not come back to the full board.
Eaton County Commissioner Brian Droscha said at the time: “We’ve had a ton of problems with TOST,” and predicted further attempts to rescind it.
Geiger dismissed the activities in Eaton County, saying then: “Barry County's initiative is all about listening to our residents, and we will continue and complete this listening process regardless of what's going on in other counties.”
Background:
The BEHD Board of Health has three commissioner from each county: Commissioners, board chair Ben Geiger, David Jackson and Dan Parker represent Barry County. Eaton County Commissioners Jane Whitacre, Vice Chair Blake Mulder and Joe Brehler serve their county on the board.
TOST mandates the seller of property to pay for a health department inspection of private water and sewer systems before the sale or transfer of property in both counties. If a system is deemed failed, it must be repaired or replaced before the sale. Health department officials say the regulation is protecting Barry County’s water supply, environment and public health, assuring clean water and adequate septic systems. They say they implemented less restrictive rules and more personal contacts with health department staff in response to public complaints.
Critics say the regulation tramples on their property rights, is too expensive, cannot document improvement from TOST, suffers from capricious decisions, and is bringing all systems up to present day codes, which is prohibited in the regulation. Also, those with complaints must pay $350 to appeal an action to the same people who permitted it.
