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opportunity to be heard. The assessment method was explained and questions were answered in detail at those meetings as well as in telephone conversations with individuals. Residents were concerned L about how and when the assessment would have to be paid. Mr. Chastain said he described the County's financing plan which would lessen the burden fon property owners. - Director Pinto indicated the large tracts of undeveloped property where the method of assessment was based on square footage 150 feet into the property. This is because at the time that it is developed the owner will be responsible to build all the interior lines required to service those areas. Mr. Pinto understood that the major concern was the cost and stressed that the first billing of the assessment will not take place until one year after the project is completed; so we are talking about 18 months to 2 years before the first assessment billing would go out for this project. As far as building the project itself, it is a very good time, cost -wise. The bids that have been coming 'in ' are very favorable for this type of work because of our slow economy. The net result is the project will be more affordable to build and payment will not be due for 18 months to 2 years from now. Commissioner Scurlock asked, and County Administrator Chandler clarified, that County policy has been to finance the assessment for ten years and impact fee for five years, but staff is working on the Board' s recommendation to see whether we have the ability to extend impact fee payments to ten years. Mr. Chandler expected to have a --report -back to the Board in two weeks. In the meantime, the impact fees on the subject project will be funded under the current policy o f-ive years for payment. Commissioner Scurlock felt the County ought to be providing an easy -payment plan to residents and that we should be looking for a creative financing mechanism to do so. Chairman Bird said the entire Board shared the concern and desire to make utilities as affordable as possible, but there is the problem of cash flow, and the interest on borrowed funds to construct improvements could be a factor in the final decision. County Administrator Chandler agreed those details will be considered in the figures presented to the Board in the middle of December. Utility Services Director Pinto pointed out while the assessment is made after the system is completed, the impact fee itself, whether financed or paid in full, is not due until connection is made to the system. 6 C 0 3 1991