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deregulation, the North Carolina Division of Air Quality is recommending that this exemption be <br /> made permanent. If adopted, the exemption would remove the requirement that industry <br /> boilers limit the air poisons and property boundary. She described the boilers. This rule <br /> change would adversely impact the public's health and the environment. The toxic pollutants <br /> include mercury, arsenic, formaldehyde, hydrogen sulfide, hydrochloric acid, cadmium, dioxins, <br /> and others. These air toxins also seriously affect school children. She urged the County <br /> Commissioners to contact the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission before <br /> the public comment concludes on December 31st and request that they permanently remove <br /> the exemption for North Carolina's air toxic program. She submitted a letter to the County <br /> Commissioners with contact information. <br /> b. Matters on the Printed Agenda <br /> (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda <br /> below.) <br /> 3. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations <br /> 4. Consent Agenda <br /> See minutes from 6:30 p.m. meeting on approved items. <br /> The removed items were considered at the end of the agenda. <br /> 5. Public Hearings <br /> 6. Regular Agenda <br /> a. Efland Sewer Rate Schedule Change <br /> The Board considered amending the Efland Sewer System Ordinance with a new rate <br /> schedule that generates enough rate payer revenue to sustain the system without General <br /> Fund subsidy. <br /> Assistant Engineer and operator for the Efland Sewer System, Kevin Lindley introduced <br /> this item. This item has been before the Board and has had a public hearing. He gave some <br /> background. He made reference to Attachment A in the resolution, which was on page 19, <br /> and said that the staff is suggesting that this page be replaced with Attachment A on page 4, <br /> or Attachment 2. This is a rate increase phased in over three years. <br /> Laura Blackmon said that if the rates are not increased, then the County will have to <br /> add money from the General Fund to make up the difference in the budget. <br /> Commissioner Gordon expressed concern that the phasing of the increase does not <br /> allow time to assist low-income residents. <br /> Laura Blackmon said that the low-income families would have the potential for a <br /> discount. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz asked about the programs that are in place now that could help <br /> low-income families with the bills and Kevin Lindley said that two programs require qualification <br /> through DSS. The main qualification is 200% of poverty level income or less. There are also <br /> provisions for people in emergency situations and Orange Congregations in Mission also has <br /> programs. <br /> Commissioner Hemminger said that this is too hard of a jump in one year, so she would <br /> rather wait until July. She said that this is not a three-year plan, but really an 18-month plan. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs suggested having rate changes in January 2009, January 2010, <br /> and January 2011. This would defer some of the impact of the rate increases. <br />