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Commissioner Macht noted that there is no question about the <br />base facility charges being the responsibility of the property <br />owner, but there seems to be a problem in the collection of charges <br />from the tenant. <br />County Attorney Vitunac advised that the County protects <br />itself by having a 2 -month deposit, which sometimes is not enough. <br />You can increase the deposit, but that causes difficulty for <br />tenants to be able to afford the deposit. Monthly charges were a <br />lien on the property in the law before 1995, but the Board changed <br />that by ordinance. <br />Utilities Director Terry Pinto emphasized that we do pursue <br />the collection of unpaid bills. Mr. Doolittle has written several <br />times and we have looked at each case he referred to. At no time <br />have we assessed the owner for the monthly service charge to the <br />tenant. Sometimes tenants move in without first applying for <br />services and we think the owner is still there. He emphasized that <br />the owner, or the representative of the owner, has the <br />responsibility of making sure that the tenant applies for services. <br />Commissioner Bird asked about Mr. Doolittle's reference to the <br />County withholding services to the new tenant until the unpaid <br />bills are satisfied. <br />Director Pinto explained that the average deposit is $50 for <br />water and $50 for sewer, which is returned with interest after two <br />years if they have paid their bills on time. He believed we should <br />hold the deposit where it is and that we should diligently go after <br />those customers who owe the County money. We should track them so <br />that it would cost them more in deposits to obtain services the <br />next time they applied. Our average percentage of unpaid debts was <br />less than 1% when we charged the owner, but this is the first year <br />since we changed the law to charge the tenants. <br />Director Pinto offered to submit a quarterly report if the <br />Board wished, but he stated that we are doing fairly well. <br />No action taken. <br />There being no further business, on Motion duly made, seconded <br />and carried, the Board adjourned at 10:56 a.m. <br />ATTEST: <br />J. Barton, Clerk <br />Minutes approved � -//- 9 6 <br />��S40,,e 0&,,". <br />Fran B. Adams, Chairman <br />85 <br />MAY 79 1996 RO 97F,A,r X010® <br />