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MAY 7 1966 moK 64 <br />Director Pinto clarified that the franchise agreements we <br />entered into with developers required that whatever the current <br />impact fee is would be deposited in an escrow fund with the <br />county as the units receive Certificates of Occupancy. The <br />escrow fund would belong to the utility until the county saw fit <br />to take the system over at which time they would become county <br />funds. The interest gained on the fund goes back to the utility. <br />Director Pinto explained that most of the problem is with <br />condotype developments and shopping centers where the CO's have <br />been given to the building as a whole and the developers are then <br />required to place in escrow funds based on every apartment, store <br />or facility in that building or center. We have had three <br />changes within our rate structure so if they don't bring the <br />escrow funds up to date now, it means tl-,-,, are kind of riusng on <br />as the utility rates change ano s-Lilli looking at the old <br />connection fee. This gives the private utility company an <br />advantage they shouldn't have so they either should deposit at <br />once the required escrow amounts or else pay the current impact <br />fee. Director Pinto emphasized that these escrow plans are meant <br />for our protection. He stressed that before we implemented them, <br />we spent something like $900,000 to bring Ixora and Treasure <br />Coast Utilities into our system and we can only recover this <br />through the monthly rate structure, which is a very dangerous <br />thing. He advised that he has spoken to each one of those we are <br />having problems with; they all recognize the amount of money owed <br />and that it is their responsibility; most are willing to <br />cooperate and make up their delinquency; but they just want to <br />find a way to do it that doesn't place an extra burden on them. <br />Director Pinto then unrolled a list several feet long of all <br />the sewerage treatment plants in the county and stated that he <br />felt we must start trying to eliminate them all and tie them into <br />one system which will become part of the county system. He <br />advised that this represents a complete about-face in his <br />thinking since he first came to the county as he now has come to <br />76 <br />