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The Chairman opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to be heard in <br />this matter. <br />Joe Gibson, 867 Blossom Drive, Sebastian, was concerned that the County was <br />charging $1300 per person for the hookup, yet in 1993 the other people (Phase I) paid only <br />$1100. It seemed like a very high estimate to him. Also people had not had an opportunity <br />to vote on this. He believed local laws were in conflict with Florida Statute 153, which says <br />there has to be a vote of the people. <br />County Attorney Vitunac responded that 153 (F. S.) is the Sewer District Law and the <br />vote is required when the district is set up. The County is operating under Chapter 125 and <br />the City of Sebastian had voluntarily contracted with the County to do the water and sewer, <br />as well as their assessment hearings. County and City ordinances had been adopted <br />authorizing the process. There were many public hearings and the matter has been the <br />subject of much debate between the City and the County. Concerning the estimate, it has to <br />be estimated on the high side because, by law, the number cannot go higher. Routinely, the <br />final numbers come in 10-20% lower than the estimate and they will end up with good utility <br />services. <br />Mr. Gibson thought that most of the people do not seem to want the water, including <br />himself. He took exception to alien on his property, wondered if it was legal, and if it is not <br />legal, it is a dangerous thing. <br />Martha Ahalt, 920 Claire Avenue, Sebastian, stated she is a widow on a fixed <br />income, did not want the water, and had no intention of hooking up to it. She had no way <br />of paying for it. She did not want a lien on her house and wondered how someone in her <br />position would ever pay for this assessment. <br />Assessment Projects Manager James D. "Dan" Chastain explained that the assessment <br />is allowed to be paid over 10 years, in 10 equal annual principal payments, together with <br />interest. The first installment would not be due until one year after the date of the final <br />assessment (probably early 2000). The bottom line on the cost is regulated by the degree of <br />competition in the bidding process which will take place in about 60 days. As an example, <br />the final cost on the Phase I project was 26.6% below the preliminary assessment. <br />Mrs. Ahalt has spoken with her neighbors and cannot find anyone who is in favor of <br />the water. She thought the homeowners should have the right to determine if they want it <br />May 26, 1998 <br />25 <br />