Target Range Sewer and Water District
3316 West Central Ave., Missoula MT 59804

April 6, 2007

Dear Target Range Homeowner:

The Target Range Sewer and Water District wishes to expand its borders to delay or prohibit annexation by the City of Missoula. The present district boundaries and the proposed addition are on the other side of this letter.  A larger district will delay annexation by the City and also give landowners a say in selecting a less expensive alternative to city sewer hookup.

Please consider the cost impacts to the homeowner listed below:
            City Sewer and Water

                        • $11,000 to $17,000 for the average sewer hookup
                        • At least $1000 increase in property taxes
                        • $113 per year sewer usage fee

                        • Will create higher density development that causes:

                        • Decreased property values of existing homes

                        • Increased traffic & congestion on existing streets

                        • $1000 household lift stations that fail periodically and must be repaired or replaced by the                                           homeowner

            Homeowner-Maintained Septic System

                        • $10 annual maintenance with Ridex or similar product.

                        • Septic systems can last more than 50 years. Standard replacement costs are about $4000 and                              the new systems remove 95% nitrates. State of the art Nitrex systems cost $5000 and                                        remove 98% of the nitrates. The city sewer system removes less than 65% of the nitrates 9                                months of each year.

            Also Consider:

            " If annexation occurs, existing homeowners will pay for building the new system and high-density               developers will be minimally impacted. Sewer connection fees actually help finance unwanted                     development.

            " Contrary to what the City wants you to think, septic systems in Target Range are not polluting the             ground water. We have water quality tests on file that show Target Range ground water is in good             condition and is cleaner than the ground water within the city.

The Target Range Sewer and Water District is responsible for protection of water and sewer rights on lands situated in the district.  Although the district can levy taxes, it has no intention of doing so at this time. Ten dollars per resident may have to be collected to cover duplication and  postage for educational materials on sewer and water issues. The objectives of this district are to (1) maintain the density characteristics of our existing neighborhood, (2) protect values of existing homes, (3) minimize homeownership costs, and (4) provide education to homeowners on sewer and water issues.

Sincerely,

Jim McDonald
Chairman

   Preserving our quality of life through planned management of our water resources.