Laserfiche WebLink
has not been there to introduce another level of utility charges in the county. The State and <br />Federal governments are both pushing us in that direction and it is something we cannot hold <br />off. <br />Commissioner Adams thought something innovative might surface and preclude a <br />drastic measure like that. <br />Commissioner Stanbridge thought timing important, because there are a lot of funding <br />sources available now that can be used. <br />Referring back to a prior issue about US#1 in Sebastian, Director Davis added that <br />the T-21 Federal Transportation Legislation has a big pot of money for stormwater <br />improvements to clean up the run-off of the State highway system. He cautioned against <br />killing the US# 1 project (in Sebastian) completely because we may eliminate the possibility <br />of using T-21 money to clean the stormwater running off US# 1, even if we do not get the 6- <br />laning. <br />Commissioner Adams recalled that when the State did the 4 -laving, they still dumped <br />the run-off into the Lagoon. <br />Commissioner Stanbridge wondered if it would be possible for the St. Johns River <br />Water Management District to convince DOT that they have to be a partner in cleaning up <br />the Indian River and go back and address those DOT drainage ditches that have been there <br />since US# 1 was put in. <br />Director Davis thought SJRWMD could have some leverage, but DOT would be <br />looking for a funding source and that would have to be Federal transportation money, and <br />there is a big pot of money (in T-21) and we certainly do not want to eliminate our <br />possibility of tapping into that. <br />Commissioner Adams noted that it was nice to have Margaret Engle present from <br />SJRWMD and Kenny Kay from Senator Kurth's office. <br />Commissioner Ginn asked if Director Davis would require more staff for this project <br />and was pleased that Commissioner Stanbridge was spearheading this issue. She wondered <br />if it would be necessary to postpone until the next budget year, but stressed that sometimes <br />it is he who is in first who gets the money. <br />Director Davis advised that the two new staff members who were soon to start have <br />both declined. The County Engineer position will be filled right after the first of the year, <br />but the other three positions are still open. He attributed the dearth of qualified applicants <br />December 8, 1998 <br />41 <br />BOOK JV PA.GE 33 <br />