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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final July 18, 2017 County's on-site sewage treatment disposal systems (OSTDS) contribute to groundwater and surface water contamination. He advised that if the priority ranking study is adopted, the next steps would be to work on the proposed changes to the County's Comprehensive Plan; explore financing options; conduct public outreach; encumber funds; and begin implementation of the priority ranking plan. Vice Chairman O'Bryan commended staff and Mr. Schulke on the Report and suggested that staff seek economies of scale when constructing the conversions. Director Burke pointed out that the Septic to Sewer Conversion Evaluation Report would be updated to reflect 29,000 "sewer accounts" rather than "homes." He also disclosed that the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (FDEO), who had provided grant money for this initiative, has reviewed and accepted the Report. Carter Taylor, President of the Executive Committee, Indian River Neighborhood Association, stated that the Report provides a good road map for proceeding with the clean-up of the Lagoon. He remarked that the septic to sewer projects comprise some of the least expensive water projects, and suggested that the County explore a way to offer customers a 0% financing package. Judy Orcutt, 4665 Pebble Bay South, spoke in support of the County's pro -active stance in addressing the issue of septic tank pollution impacting the Lagoon. Charlie Pope, 2305 46th Avenue, mentioned the number of young people who engage in water activities, and stressed the need to clean up the Lagoon. After a brief discussion, the Board consensus was to begin a public outreach by contacting any of the listed communities with a Homeowners Association. Commissioner Zorc wondered if it would be possible to create a reserve for property owners to build up funds for the special assessments. A conversation ensued about the difficulty of projecting future construction costs, and about the factors (such as unpaved roads and drainage) which must be taken into consideration when estimating project costs. A motion was made by Vice Chairman O'Bryan, seconded by Chairman Flescher, to: (1) accept the Countywide Septic to Sewer Ranking by adopting the report prepared by Schulke, Bittle & Stoddard, LLC; (2) have Utilities staff work with Community Development Long Range Planning staff to incorporate the findings into the Indian River County 2030 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 3A, Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element for Board of County Commissioners' review and approval at a later date; and (3) direct staff to make the report available on-line and begin the education and public outreach to the communities in the top 35 ranked subdivisions. The motion carried by the following vote: Indian River County Florida Page 18