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5 QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS AND <br /> COUNCIL MEMBERS <br /> In response to questions posed by the Council members , Director Olson, with input from <br /> County Administrator Baird, provided the following details : <br /> o The City ' s Reverse Osmosis System would be retained . <br /> o The cost for the construction piping would be absorbed within the utility system . <br /> o The County was not anticipating utility rate increases , nor using a bond for the <br /> project . <br /> o There will be a 6% equalization charge imposed by the County that would be <br /> applied to the County General Fund . <br /> o By law, Municipalities may impose a surcharge up to 20% . <br /> o Sebastian currently applies a 10 % surcharge . <br /> o The County may retain 50% of the City ' s employees , but there may not be <br /> positions available for management or plant operator employees . <br /> o The County ' s south plant is not currently operating at capacity . <br /> o The County could save the City approximately $ 5 million dollars by this merger . <br /> o It may take 2 to 3 years to decommission the wastewater treatment plant on 17th <br /> Street . <br /> o The cost to decommission the plant on 17th Street was not part of the County ' s <br /> analysis . The County intends to buy the plant and the land , and if so , they would <br /> be responsible for the cost of decommissioning the plant . If the City keeps the <br /> land , then the City would be responsible . <br /> o The $ 24 million dollar debt would be paid through the ratepayers . <br /> o One rate for utilities would be applied to all the ratepayers throughout the County . <br /> o The lime - softening plant is located on airport property with an existing lease . The <br /> lease would need to be reviewed to determine responsibility for decommissioning <br /> the lime - softening system . <br /> o The County was looking into grants . <br /> Joint Meeting — City of Vero Beach 4 <br /> Regionalization water and sewer utilities <br /> April 29 , 2011 <br />