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Commissioner Adams was not convinced this contract was needed and believed a savings could be achieved with a management approach. Chairman Macht was interested in the value of the residue labor of the two employees who would lose their jobs if the contract was approved. He believed that the extra hours on the job which were not directly related to "operating" were useful and would be lost if the contract was approved. Director Pinto pointed out that the employees were hired to work 8 hours, and he believed it was a cost, not a value. The cost went up because of the limitations in government. In response to Commissioner Eggert, Assistant Director Asher advised that these facilities would become part of the regional system. Commissioner Bird spoke in favor of the contract and credited Director Pinto for finding a way to respond to the Board's direction to reduce expenses and down -size. He believed the -operation of goverment is business and should be treated as such. Commissioner Tippin pointed out that many counties are going through privatization to economize, especially jails and utilities. Mike Scott, business representative for Teamsters Local Union No. 769 argued that the true savings, using recent numbers, would only be $16,970 and referred to information in folders he handed out to the Board members. He pointed out that staff's figures were somewhat misleading because they were old and other costs had been included. Mr. Scott stressed that operation costs have come down and believed the quality of service was better at County -operated plants rather than at contracted facilities. (CLERK'S NOTE: A copy of Mr. Scott's handout has been filed with the backup material in the Office of the Clerk to the Board.) Jim DeGraffenreid, an 8 -year County employee and chief operator of the West Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, explained that he had an "A" license and 20 years of experience in wastewater treatment facilities. Through use of photos and a home video, in a lengthy presentation, he showed the difference in the quality of service at County -maintained facilities versus facilities which have already been contracted to Hydrologic. (CLERK'S NOTE: Photos submitted are on file in the Office of the Clerk to the Board.) Mr. Scott, referring to various pages of his handout, advised of discrepancies in the Sebastian Highlands facility log book on October 26, December 5, 7, and 11, 1995. These discrepancies involved operators not physically on duty when the log book A6 December 19, 1995 BOOK 9 PAu 867