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ANALYSIS <br />This late bloom fruit can be picked and processed for sale as fresh! <br />fruit and•be sold in the state of Florida only. Leroy E. Smith and <br />Sons would take this late bloom fruit on consignment. They will <br />pick the fruit, haul it to a packing house and process it. They <br />will deduct their picking, hauling and packing costs from the amount <br />of monies received through the sale of the fruit and give Indian <br />River County. -the monies remaining. This must be done within ten <br />(10) days, because the packing house will be -closing soon. <br />Most packing houses have shut down for the season. Leroy E. Smith <br />and Sons were recommended by Peter D. Spyke of Arapaho Citrus <br />Management. Mr. Spyke is in charge of the maintenance. for our <br />groves. <br />It is estimated that there is between 1,000 and 1,500 boxes of late <br />bloom fruit in our groves. A box of late bloom fruit should pay <br />$2.50 to $3.00 per box. <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />The staff of the Department of Utility Services recommends that the <br />Board of County Commissioners approve the use of Leroy E. Smith and <br />Sons to process the late bloom fruit. <br />Commissioner Eggert expressed displeasure with this item as an <br />emergency item and wished we could anticipate these. <br />Director Pinto explained that the harvesting company which <br />picked the original bloom was not interested in taking the late <br />bloom. The people maintaining the groves said this company is <br />willing so it was either that or letting it fall. <br />Chairman Bird asked if this is additional fruit that was not <br />contracted for. <br />Director Pinto explained it was not considered in the original <br />bloom but happened because of the cold weather. It will not happen <br />next year because we had a normal bloom. <br />Commissioner Bowman felt they should have known six months in <br />advance that there would be a late bloom and they should have gone <br />out for bid. Because of this last minute decision, we are not <br />getting a good price. <br />ON MOTION by Commissioner Scurlock, SECONDED by <br />Commissioner Eggert, the Board unanimously approved <br />using Leroy E. Smith Sons, Inc., to process the late <br />bloom fruit, as recommended by Staff. <br />72 <br />MAY 2 11991 <br />