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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final October 4, 2022 <br />Aye: 5- Chairman O'Bryan, Vice Chairman Earman, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner <br />Flescher, and Commissioner Moss <br />H. Utilities Services <br />12.H.1. 22-0827 Utility Accounts Receivable Bad Debt Follow -Up and Potential Foreclosure <br />Activity <br />Recommended Action: Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners: • Authorize staff <br />to classify as bad debt expense the $632,604.80 in penalties and interest that <br />was waived; • Authorize the Director of Management and Budget to process a <br />budget amendment from the Utilities operating fund balance (cash) to cover the <br />$632,604.80 expense; • Authorize staff to work with the County Attorney's <br />office to process any potential foreclosures; and, • Authorize staff to seek <br />outside counsel, if needed, in assisting with these foreclosures <br />Attachments: Staff Report <br />Notice of Future Potential Connection Charges <br />Director of Utility Services Sean Lieske recognized the Utility workers who <br />worked during the storm to keep both the water and wastewater flowing. He <br />explained there were 90 lift stations that were down due to the power outages <br />and the Utility crews used portable generators to pump them out. <br />Utility Finance Manager Cindy Corrente utilized a PowerPoint Presentation to <br />follow-up on the Accounts Receivable Bad Debt and potential foreclosure <br />activity. She stated with the modifications to County Code Section 201.2, staff <br />was given authorization to waive some, or all, penalties and interest on certain <br />past -due utility accounts and to make arrangements for settlement of said <br />accounts. She displayed a summary of bad debts listing the numbers of <br />settlements, total collected, the total penalties, and interest waived for the water <br />and sewer, impact fee loans, and assessments. <br />Ms. Corrente brought up the accounts falling into the unenforceable lien <br />category explaining liens over 20 years old were no longer legally enforceable; <br />however, she stated a "notice of potential future connection charges" will be <br />filed in the County Clerk's records. She continued, before any service could be <br />activated for those properties, any connection charges in effect at the time of <br />connection including any impact fees would need to be paid. <br />Chairman O'Bryan sought and received confirmation from County Attorney <br />Dylan Reingold that the notice of future connection charges would show up in <br />the title search so the buyer would be aware of the additional costs. <br />Indian River County Florida Page 8 <br />