What strikes me is VDH’s continued defense of fee-for-service design of improvement to private property.  There may be some instances where this is appropriate – for instance a “give up your home equity repair waiver”.    But on balance, anyone applying for a permit either owns a home or wants to build a home.  Either way, the cost of design of a septic system is insignificant compared to the cost of a home, or the cost of construction!

What is significant is the $1.4 million hole in budget that VDH fills with $14 million from the general fund.  That’s an amazing feat of deception.  

The Office of Management and Budget and budget concluded that VDH was providing design services at 20% of cost.  The true cost is on the order of $2000 per design - 80% of that comes from tax payers.

The private sector will never be competitive with VDH's subsidized services when evaluated solely on a cost basis.