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MAY 16 1994 Boa 57 PAGE 54 county by all the citrus irrigation, and it is gradually turning to salt. Attorney Smith continued that there are a combination of things which must be considered. First is whether the Board wants to oppose John's Island having a golf course and water. He emphasized that, although he has represented many other fine developments in the county, John's Island is the finest and produces the most tax money; it cannot exist without a golf course. Mr. Smith then pointed out that many of the usual factors considered re maintaining golf courses do not hold true for a golf course located next to the ocean. For one thing, there is 1/3 less rainfall at John's Island than there is at the Vero Beach Airport. In addi- tion, that golf course because of its proximity to the ocean has a drenching salt air that makes .it intolerable to use water that could be used other places. Attorney Smith stated that it would be unthinkable for the Board to oppose water for John's Island, and he also felt it is none of the Board's business; the management of water is solely for those in the water management business, and the county is injecting itself where it has neither the expertise nor the judgment. Mr. Smith then informed the Board that if it can be proved that the salt content of the water from the deep aquifer would be satisfactory for use at John's Island, they would have no objection to going to the deep aquifer. Mr. Smith next noted that although their lease with Saw Mill Ridge does not provide for anything other than for Saw Mill Ridge to service them, they are perfectly willing for Saw Mill Ridge to provide the excess capacity to anyone else, but they do not want to go into the franchise business. Attorney Smith did not believe there is a franchise in the county that is making money or is not in controversy over rates. He continued to stress that John's 54 L�