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2. Authorize the County Attorney and Planning Department to pursue acquisition of <br /> easements and/or right-of-way encroachment for Central Efland and North Buckhorn; <br /> and <br /> 3. Authorize the Planning Department to hire a peer review engineering firm not to exceed <br /> $10,000 for the Central Efland and North Buckhorn projects to examine all alternatives <br /> and design standards for these projects. <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked about the match and Frank Clifton said that the EPA <br /> grant and local dollars will only pick up part of the project. He said that the recommendation is <br /> to get a loan from the State Revolving Loan Fund. He feels that a peer review is needed for <br /> this project. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that her understanding is that they have laid out what they <br /> need to do in Attachment 1 and the cost is in Attachment 4, which is about $5.6 million. She <br /> said that this cost crept up on us and she does not see where the County has the money to do <br /> this project because there are obligations for the CIP and there is more on the horizon. <br /> Frank Clifton said that the County made a commitment 20 years ago to put in this <br /> sewer and there is a chance to get an EPA grant and to borrow money from the revolving state <br /> fund. The County has already spent $400,000 on engineering. <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked again where the money would come from. Frank Clifton <br /> said that it would come from users of the system as the system is expanded and as there is <br /> some economic development. He said that the price of the system would not get any cheaper <br /> five years from now. <br /> Craig Benedict said that when this came to public hearing in May 2008, the County <br /> Commissioners authorized $2.5 million in the Long-Range Capital Improvement Program for <br /> this. <br /> Frank Clifton said that the existing pump station could fail at any time and it is 20 years <br /> old. If this fails, then there will be a big problem. He said that the County is not in the utility <br /> business, but yet it is, and it has not managed its end of the system very well. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz said that in 1988 the County promised the residents a sewer <br /> system and the then the sewer rates were increased in 2009. There have been consistent <br /> pledges all along and it will cost more than was originally thought because it is 20 years later. <br /> He said that this is the backbone of the economic development district and it is an investment. <br /> He asked about the peer review and if this would require changes in the engineering plans and <br /> how it might affect the timing. Frank Clifton said that he could not answer this accurately. <br /> Commissioner Nelson said that the County ends up in these situations a lot with trying <br /> to fix problems that occur. This is why there is no money for new things when the county <br /> approves the budget. He wants to get out of the cycle of spending a little money here and a <br /> little money there outside of the budget process. <br /> Commissioner Hemminger is concerned about when the decision comes back as to <br /> when this system goes to Mebane or Hillsborough. Frank Clifton said that staff is mindful of <br /> this and it will be part of the discussions. The staff is now concentrating on the engineering <br /> and cost aspects. <br /> Commissioner Hemminger said that she is strongly supportive of doing this in the <br /> EDDs, because nothing is going to happen until there is a sewer utility. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier said that she is also concerned about the financial situation, <br /> but she knows that the County absolutely has to do this because of the promises made. <br />