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Commissioner Pelissier said that she would rather it say that the County Attorney <br /> advises the Board that it may be a violation of criminal law. <br /> John Roberts went through all of the changes in Section 6 so far: <br /> - If, by majority vote, the Board has reason to believe that one or more of its <br /> members is in violation of this code of ethics, it may direct the County Attorney at a <br /> regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners to initiate an investigation <br /> into the matter. <br /> - If, upon investigation of a violation this code of ethics, the Board has reason to <br /> believe that a violation of a criminal law may have occurred it shall refer the matter <br /> to the local District Attorney. <br /> The Board agreed to these changes. <br /> 8. Reports <br /> a. Efland Sewer Rates Report <br /> The Board received a report on Efland sewer rates. <br /> Craig Benedict recognized Staff Engineer Kevin Lindley, who helped to compile the <br /> information. Kevin Lindley made the presentation, covering the following points: <br /> History <br /> •Original rates in 1989 <br /> •Operating cost only <br /> •Not a capital reserve fund <br /> •Does not pay back the loan from the County to build the system <br /> •By 1992, the original rates create less revenue than needed to operate the system <br /> •Since 1992, the sewer fund has been increasingly subsidized <br /> •Increased costs to operate and maintain <br /> •Adding customers creates a larger subsidy <br /> •Wastewater treatment costs are more than customer charge <br /> •2008 Raftelis Study <br /> •BOCC approved a four year schedule of rate increases to eliminate subsidy <br /> •The first increase in the four year cycle took effect on July 1, 2009. <br /> Raftelis Study— chart in abstract <br /> The chart shows that the monthly usage of 6,000 gallons will have a rate of $121.87 by <br /> July 2012. He said that this is a healthy increase because it costs this much to maintain the <br /> system. At this time, the customers are only paying $45.00 and the County is paying the <br /> difference. <br /> Frank Clifton said that there are concerns from the users because most are not with a <br /> municipality. He said that what they have learned is that Orange County does not need to be <br /> in the utility business and when new people tap on to this then they pay a surcharge to the <br /> Town of Hillsborough. He said that if the rates are adjusted downward then the subsidies will <br /> be increased again. He said that the County needs to develop a sustainable rate structure and <br />