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with Ellenburg Capital in bringing their franchise current and making sure that Ellenburg is a responsible corporate citizen in the future. Attorney Brandenburg next addressed the R & R fund, noting that Ellenburg's portion is up to date from the time they acquired the system and has been submitted to the County. At�the date they acquired the system, the system was in very bad need of repair. He emphasized that Ellenburg paid for repairs well in excess of the $30,000. Rather than requesting R &`R funds, they paid the following expenses out of pocket: $7,500 for repair of the pump; $2,500 for repair of the water lines; and $27,000 in repairs to the water plant itself. Attorney Brandenburg stressed that Ellenburg would have been well within their rights to ask the County to write the check, but they paid for the expenses out of pocket. Had that $37,000 merely been given to the County and then withdrawn, there would be no issue at all with respect to that $30,000. In conclusion, Attorney Brandenburg advised that Ellenburg respectfully requests that the County impose such requirements that are deemed appropriate and approve the transfer of the franchise. Commissioner Adams asked what time frame is necessary to bring this matter to a close, and Director Pinto stated that the franchise can be transferred immediately upon Ellenburg's signed acceptance of the recommended amendments to the franchise. Arthur Aker, resident of Countryside for 13 years, explained that each of the residents have a lifetime lease which includes all the amenities, and water and sewage at no additional cost to the tenant. The lease has been violated once by the Indian River County Utilities Department and Mr. Pinto. Mr. Aker noted that the deal to hook up to sewer was made in about 3 days, and that was a violation of the water franchise. He didn't agree to it. Mr. Aker wanted to be very sure that his lease doesn't get violated again. Each unit has water meters and the sewer bill runs about $35 a month. He never saw things move so fast as those meters. He wished to point out that Realcor was made up of Mr. Hatfield and Mr. Peters who had roots in Vero Beach. Now Hatfield and Peters are involved in the new mall in Vero Beach. Mr. Aker also pointed out that Ellenburg has owed the franchise fees since 1993 when they purchased the utility at Countryside. Carl Hedin, 300 Cardinal Drive, spoke as an interested taxpayer. He felt that if we give these people a free lunch, the 14 BOOK 6 FAGE •.J �9 OCTOBER 17, 1995