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contract with the mobile home park was only for impact fees and did <br />not mean every tenant would get free water forever. <br />Attorney_ Barkett argued that the ordinance also says that <br />- nothing shall relieve the owner of responsibility for payment of <br />utility charges. <br />Chairman Eggert appreciated what Attorney Barkett was saying, <br />but she also agreed that the tenants should put funds in escrow. <br />Commissioner Bird asked, and Attorney Vitunac reported that <br />prior to litigation, the park owner was paying the utility bills. <br />In May 1992 that responsibility was passed along to the individual <br />tenants. <br />Commissioner Adams asked Attorney Barkett why his clients did <br />not want to escrow the monthly payment. <br />Attorney Barkett indicated that his clients do not have the <br />money. The utility charges increase the tenants' monthly expenses <br />by 40 percent, and they cannot afford that increase on a fixed <br />income. <br />Commissioner Adams thought both sides would have to give a <br />little bit on this. <br />Commissioner Bird pointed out that the County could not <br />continue losing this amount of money to the detriment of the other <br />customers and the bondholders. <br />Attorney Barkett contended that the County should sue the park <br />owner. <br />Attorney Vitunac advised that the County could win a lawsuit <br />only for utility costs for the first 30 days, because there is a <br />clause in the ordinance that the County can turn off water to <br />people who do not pay. <br />Commissioner Macht led discussion regarding the County's legal <br />standing, and Attorney Vitunac explained that the County is not a <br />party in the lawsuit between the'park owner and the tenants. <br />County Attorney Vitunac recommended that the Board allow the <br />tenants 30 days to make the accounts current, and if they are not <br />current in 30 days, discontinue service. He hoped that both <br />parties would come forward and put money in escrow. <br />Commissioner Bird asked whether the County has the option to <br />hold the arrears in abeyance and have the parties escrow monthly <br />payments from this point forward for utility charges. <br />Commissioner Adams wanted the County to waive penalties and <br />interest back to May and go on from here. <br />Attorney Vitunac advised that the Board has the authority to <br />compromise. <br />Commissioner Macht was concerned that the Board would be <br />setting a precedent. <br />19 <br />V 2 1992 BOOK (D�Au J <br />