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the assessment letter sent to her and respond to her questions. <br />Commissioner Adams advised that Jovice Daugherty in the Utilities Dcpartmcnt hay <br />been making an effort to try to find some assistance for those who cannot pay. <br />Frank Zore supported comments made by Mr. Germann. He knew that many years <br />ago many government bodies did provide water lines at no cost to the property owners. This <br />idea of charging property, owners is relatively new and is to save money for the government. <br />Mr. Germann's point was that the County should do away with the Dodgers project and sand <br />pumping project and buy water lines for the people. <br />Commissioner Adams agreed that government has paid for water lines in the past out <br />of ad valorem funds, so everybody shared the cost. The Board has adopted a policy that <br />growth must pay for itself. <br />Assistant Administrator Baird pointed out that our utility has to be self-sustaining and <br />the County has issued bonds to purchase and expand the Sebastian system. The revenue <br />source of the utilities has been pledged to pay off those bonds. Utility costs have not been <br />paid by the ad valorem taxes because it is unfair to those who do not have water lines <br />available to them. It is important to understand the utilities department is a self-sustaining <br />enterprise fund and other funds cannot be co -mingled. <br />Gene Switzer, Rolling Hill Drive, Sebastian, recommended as a solution that the <br />Board offer the additional homestead exemption to seniors as Brevard County has done. <br />Commissioner Adams explained that Indian River County has adopted that additional <br />homestead exemption for low-income seniors. <br />Assistant Administrator Baird pointed out that exemption will only apply to County <br />taxes. the City of Sebastian would have to adopt that also for those who live within the <br />municipal boundaries. <br />County Attorney Bangel advised that the ordinance on the senior citizen homestead <br />July 24, 2001 <br />31 <br />3 �:� <br />