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M M M <br />you would pay this fee in lieu of the assessment. It would not be <br />an increase inthe fee, it will be exactly what they are charging <br />at the present time in the service area. The reason for that is <br />that we are buying lines that are not being used, in a sense. <br />There is capacity in those lines for undeveloped areas and they are <br />not being used, and it is only fair to the existing customers of <br />the system that new connectors pay their fair share and be part of <br />the service charges. If we were to go in and build the system, it <br />would cost us $10 -million and it would be paid for through impact <br />fees and assessment charges. In lieu of the assessment charge, <br />there will be a connection fee in this area until we can go back in <br />there and study the whole area to come up with a more equitable <br />way. <br />Commissioner Adams questioned whether we should pick up all <br />their employees, and Director Pinto explained that we are not <br />bringing any management staff on board. He emphasized that we have <br />taken over five utilities in the last few years with no additional <br />employees. We would not be able to handle this purchase without <br />hiring those employees; however, the cost of operations is covered <br />in the revenue received from those utilities. <br />Commissioner Adams also questioned the need for the additional <br />meter readers, and Director Pinto explained that the meter readers <br />will be of help to us in our present assessment project areas. <br />Chairman Bird asked if it is our intention to bring service to <br />those areas without service now, and Director Pinto advised that <br />those areas would be added into our assessment. It would be <br />handled primarily the same way as one of our assessment projects, <br />with 10 years to pay. Whenever we expand to service new customers, <br />the revenue is raised specifically from those customers. It has <br />nothing to do with the present customer charges. <br />Chairman Bird just wanted it made clear that it is not going <br />to be a free ride for those areas that do not have service at the <br />present time. <br />Chairman Bird opened the Public Hearing and asked if anyone <br />wished to be heard in this matter. <br />Sasan Rohani, 644 25th Street SW in Vero Highlands, spoke in <br />behalf of many residents in favor of the purchase of the GDU <br />facility by the County. <br />Brenda Kramer, resident of Vero Highlands, spoke in behalf of <br />many residents also in favor of the purchase. <br />Cecil King, 1746 25th Street SW, urged the Board to approve <br />the purchase of GDU. <br />37 <br />BODS 90 <br />AUG 171993 f`� it � � <br />