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was installed on Southwest First Street, and there was no <br />assessment to property owners for that. If it could be done on _ <br />Southwest First Street without an assessment, why he was being <br />assessed for this project. <br />utility Services Director Pinto explained that the water line <br />was installed on Southwest First Street to service a development - <br />down the road. Property --owners along the way benefitted, but it <br />was paid for by the developer. As for Palm Bay and Holly Hills, <br />Mr. Pinto was sure the cost was covered in their rate structure. <br />Indian River County determined long ago that adding the cost of <br />utilities to the rate structure is not equitable. <br />Mr. Stone felt the assessment will hurt him and would prefer <br />to have his own water. <br />Jake Kennedy, 150 Southwest 27th Avenue, asked why he is being <br />assessed when he has had water service for eight years. Director <br />Pinto advised that if he had no agreement to participate in the <br />assessment, he would be exempted from the assessment. He should <br />meet with Mr. Chastain or Mr. Asher after the meeting. <br />Eljean Stone spoke in behalf of Truth Tabernacle Church on <br />27th Avenue. She asked for clarification on the amount of the <br />assessment because assessments on other churches had been adjusted <br />downward. She gave two examples of churches with more acreage and <br />lower assessments. <br />Director Pinto assured the Board there had been no exemptions <br />for churches. Each piece of property was assessed according to the <br />information contained in the tax records. He suggested Ms. Stone , <br />meet with staff after the meeting to check the calculations, and if <br />there were mistakes, they would be corrected. <br />Tom Aldrich, 3063 Fifth Street Southwest, came before the <br />Board and stated he does not live in Emerson Villa but owns <br />property there. He said he had discussed the assessment with other <br />property owners, found opposition to the water service, and was <br />urged to start a petition. Mr. Aldrich presented the signatures to <br />the Board. Mr. Aldrich said he had been told the petition would <br />not be accepted. <br />SAID PETITION IS ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF <br />CLERK TO THE BOARD <br />Commissioner Scurlock responded that the Board would accept <br />the petition, but the driving force in this project is the comp <br />plan and our agreement with the State of Florida to bring service <br />to areas of undersized lots. <br />9 <br />OOa C PACE <br />DEC 0 3 TO <br />