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R. D. Auton, of 1616 2nd Road SW, Dixie Heights, Vero Beach, gave history of his neighborhood and home which was built in 1976. He claimed to have never received a bill for paving and drainage assessment as stated in his letter above. He advised that he would like to pay the assessment, but since he had never received the bill initially, he felt it was not just that he should be required to pay the accumulated interest. Commissioner Eggert attempted to determine why he had not received the assessment notice, and Mr. Auton gave the history of his mailing addresses. Chairman Adams felt the County should have repaired his driveway and had no problem with forgiving the interest. Commissioner Bird stated he could agree to forgive the interest. Tax Collector Karl Zimmermann advised their records showed that the first notice was sent to Mr. Auton's post office box. Subsequent bills had been sent to his street address. He advised that none of those bills, according to their records, had ever been returned. While the decision belonged to the Board, Mr. Zimmermann pointed out that Mr. Auton had attended the hearing on the petition paving. He knew that the paving was started and had discussions with people about his driveway. He thought Mr. Auton had an obligation to call someone to find out about paying for it, because the work was done, and he certainly was an involved, knowledgeable participant. Mr. Zimmermann asked the Board to consider the precedent that might be created if they decided to forgive the interest. Chairman Adams thought Mr. Auton should be given the benefit of the doubt, unless there was evidence to the contrary. Commissioner Macht queried Mr. Zimmermann further on how many mailings had been sent to Mr. Auton's street address. In response to Chairman Adams' inquiry, Mr. Auton advised that every year he gets his tax bills and pays them on time. He contended he did not know of anyone who pays a bill before receiving it. Commissioner Eggert had a problem with forgiving the interest, but wondered whether the County should have repaired Mr. Auton's driveway. Commissioner Macht thought the driveway probably encroached on the County's right-of-way. Commissioner Bird advised that he had known Mr. Auton all his life and believed Mr. Auton when he said he had not received the bills. 23 May 14, 1996 BOOK PAGE