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4) The benefit areas contain wetlands and lakes which should be excluded in an acreage assessment. To identify these areas, extensive surveys would be required. As a result, staff has not identified a simple assessment method which allocates costs and benefits in a non -controversial manner. ALTERNATIVES AND ANALYSIS Willow Street is excessively used by residents of the area, employees of Berry Groves, and citrus hauling trucks. It serves as a Collector Road in a large area of diverse interests, serving both the City of Fellsmere and north Indian River County. The Road and Bridge Division has received more grading requests for this road than any other on the County system. The alternatives presented are as follows: Alternative No. 1 Since the majority of the traffic using the road is between CR512 and 85' Street (I % mile), the County could pay 100% of the cost to pave this section through the City of Fellsmere. Sufficient right of way already exists in this area. The cost of the project is approximately $450,000. Since the east/west side streets that connect to Willow Street will need improvements in the future, the Special Assessment method can be used to fund improvement of these roadways. Funding shall be from Fund 315 (Local Option Sales Tax - $300,000 budgeted for FY 97/98) and Fund 109 (Secondary Road Fund). Alternative No. 2 Establish a Special Assessment Program based upon an acreage assessment at a cost of approximately $100/acre. The assessment for Berry Groves will be approximately $174,872.00. RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUNDING Staff recommends Alternative No. 1 whereby the Board authorizes the construction of I Y4 miles of Willow Street between CR512 and 85 h Street to be funded 100% by County funds. This action will serve the majority of the traffic use along Willow Street and will avoid a potentially controversial assessment program due to unique characteristics of the area (mixed land uses, wetlands, etc.) Commissioner Adams commended staff for an incredibly good job. She pointed out that Willow Street is just the tip of the iceberg. There are numerous roads owned by drainage districts where new building permits are being given out and those new residents are expecting the County to maintain the roads. The time is quickly approaching when we will have to address those roads through an MSTU. ON MOTION by Commissioner Adams, SECONDED by Commissioner Ginn, the Board, by a 4-0 vote (Commissioner Macht absent) unanimously approved Alternative #1 authorizing the construction of 11/a miles of Willow Street between CR -512 and 85b Street to be funded 100% by County funds, pursuant to staffs recommendations. OCTOBER 7, 1997 101 B�t1K -LuZ 713