After not being able to get necessary utility easements for a waterline extension down Pittman Drive to the Derbyshire development in Green Creek, the developer has proposed paying the majority of the costs to run the line along Landrum Road.

The Polk County Board of Commissioners met Monday and approved spending $3,866 in order to run a 12 inch line under Hwy. 9 as part of the extension to the Derbyshire development.

The county previously agreed to share costs with seven property owners who wanted to connect to the line pursuant to the countys 60/40 cost share waterline extension policy.

The countys previous cost would have been $14,930 for its portion of the extension. The 40 percent has already been paid by property owners participating, which will be refunded.

Those property owners will also have a fire hydrant due to Derbyshire now running an 8-inch line as opposed to the previously approved 4-inch line. In order to have a fire hydrant, at least a 6-inch line is required.

The issue came up Monday with commissioner vice-chair Ray Gasperson saying he was glad he made a call that morning to Polk County Manager Ryan Whitson regarding negotiating with the developers so the property owners could get refunded.

The seven property owners previously paid between $1,000 and $2,000 each. The property owners will now only pay a $1,200 tap fee in order to tap onto the system.

Engineer Dave Odom, with the development, joined commissioners on Monday and discussed the change. Derbyshire will pay for an 8-inch line to the development, which is estimated to cost $34,300.