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Mr. Barkett stated that his purpose was not to prevent the <br />paving of Willow Street; he wanted to show that this was not the <br />best or correct way and was not acceptable under State law. He <br />questioned how the original proposal differed from this proposal. <br />Director Davis explained the alternative was presented <br />tonight, but after ground-truthing the area they realized the <br />perimeter canal to the west was a better barrier for the assessment <br />area and it was their opinion that the extension of the west <br />perimeter made more common sense. <br />Mr. Barkett pursued this line of questioning of Director Davis <br />and Chairman Macht concerning the timeline of the paving of Willow <br />Street planning process. He pointed out that 600 acres were added <br />to the original plan and he believed they were added and the <br />assessments were predicated upon the cost of the project. <br />Mr. Barkett stressed that Fellsmere would be receiving a <br />$185,000 benefit, yet there was only $46,000 assessed to property. <br />He concluded that the county property owners were paying for it, <br />which was not fair or just. <br />Director Davis did not agree with Mr. Barkett's conclusion. <br />Mr. Barkett argued special benefits had not been taken into <br />consideration because no benefit analysis had been done, as <br />required by the County's ordinance and Chapter 170. <br />Mr. Barkett opposed the fact that assessments had been made <br />for non -assessable lands: such as wetlands, rights-of-way, FPL <br />easements, remote properties to the road, and that agricultural <br />lands of one acre were assessed on the same basis as 1/4 acre <br />residential lots. <br />Mr. Barkett recalled the lowered area of assessment for Berry <br />Groves and compared it to Mr. Kahn's area of assessment. He argued <br />that Mr. Kahn's vacant property does not benefit by use of the road <br />and it is not valid to reason that someday it might be used. <br />Another reason why the assessment was invalid, illogical and <br />unfair, Mr. Barkett pointed out, is that $150,000 was included in <br />the assessment for right-of-way acquisition. All but 400 feet of <br />the necessary right-of-way would be bought from Mr. Kahn and his <br />money from the special assessment would be used to pay for it. He <br />commented there is a fundamental due process problem with that. <br />Mr. Barkett called on his professional engineer to analyze the <br />special assessment and identify some of the things he perceived in <br />the project. <br />Carol Saunders, vice president of Williams Hatfield & Stoner, <br />an engineering, planning, and surveying firm, added that generally <br />you do not see county property paying for a city street in an <br />44 <br />September 12, 1995 <br />