3/19/1986 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

desire; although the county already has paid our professional staff - Mr. Pinto and three accountants - to analyze this. A man from the audience believed that the County put up $5,000 in the Moorings rate case to have an outside agency look over the problems they had there, and Mr. Davenport felt the county should offer them help as well. The Chairman pointed out that our utility staff is available at any time to answer any questions the people may have, and he believed some did come in and ask questions. Director Pinto addressed the comment that the County put up $5,000 in The Moorings case and explained that if the Commission does order an outside consultant to come in and make a study, that becomes part of the rate case cost and the users of the - specific system will pay for that expense. In this case, he felt confident that not only was staff competent but that their analysis was in depth enough that it would not be necessary to incur the extra expense. Director Pinto further emphasized that staff cannot make a recommendation to the Commission that is wrong and liable to end up in court. He noted that there have been occasions where staff has advised the Commission not to grant an increase, and he would very much like to be able to do so now, but the numbers just don't justify it. When this same applicant requested an increase before, it was not the numbers but the quality of service that held up the increase. Mr. Davenport did not believe the Board will receive any complaints about sewer service because of the new facility but stated he could complain about water quality. The Chairman noted that will be considered when a rate case on water is presented. Mr. Davenport wrapped up his presentation by saying Vero Shores emphatically asks this rate case be denied for all the reasons stated tonight. Attorney Vitunac swore in Oria Fletcher, 15 year resident of Vero Highlands, who also attended the last rate hearing. She 27 MAR 19 1986 BOOK 6 3 ca, UQ720