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• Committee, did a rate study for Code revisions. It was done thoughtfully and systematically and the implemented program is working. It would be, he thought, a mistake to go outside of the realm of those rates now. In his letter, he pointed out that the impact fees had been significantly reduced from 1997, and reduced overall in the last 4 years by 30%, and that is a significant contribution. Deputy County Attorney Collins thought there might be another large issue here. That is, should the utility rate payers be the only ones underwriting affordable housing in the county. A public purpose must be found in order to expend public money. It should then be paid by the taxpayers at large, not just those hooked up to utilities. Donna Pepper first asked Chairman Ginn to accept her apology about her remarks from the last meeting which resulted in a "tempest in a teapot" in the newspapers and embarrassed both of them. She felt the pressure of this presentation resulted in a change in the FHFC rules allowing a grace period because their appeal process has gotten out of hand. She felt this '`window" would exacerbate their problems. She felt that The Richman Group's application was contingent on the County's confirmation of local government contribution. The bond issue program is over and the first rankings are out; there are three applications for Indian River County. She wanted the Board to know that Walker Avenue Club is currently under construction. She had worked with Mr. Baird for two years, and she has owned the property for four years. She explained how she was successful in achieving the industrial revenue bonds in the past; she did not apply this year. She named the four incentives the County does offer for affordable housing at the present time, each of them can be quantified. The density bonus is no longer allowed because FHFC could not calculate its value due to different values from county to county. She felt FHFC should be petitioned to permit it once again. She also described the process she went through with her Walker Avenue Club. Brian Heady advised that he was not against affordable housing. He originally lived March 6, 2001 '��'{i� iY.ul �' •ni. >nqi'. A� i. ... � Ons i`�' 95 bit 1 1 X51, •