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First Steps <br /> Public Hearing <br /> Public Hearing will be held to determine the following: <br /> •There is a demonstrated need for providing in the district water services, or sewer service, or <br /> both; <br /> •The residents of all the territory to be included in the district will benefit from the district's <br /> creation; and <br /> • It is economically feasible to provide the proposed service or services in the district without <br /> unreasonable or burdensome annual tax levies. <br /> By resolution create a County water and sewer district <br /> Frank Clifton said that Orange County would not be a service provider and the key to <br /> this is to develop a backbone system. <br /> Craig Benedict showed the maps of the possible districts. The Efland/Buckhorn area is <br /> now under consideration for a utility district. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier asked how far in advance of providing utilities could a district <br /> be created, along with a fee. Frank Clifton said that it has to be based on a plan of action or <br /> capital improvement plan. There would have to be a taxing district that allows the levying of a <br /> specific property tax for that purpose. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked where they were in the conversations with collaborative <br /> efforts such as with Orange Alamance Water System and Frank Clifton said that until the <br /> Board gives the staff direction, the County would not necessarily be dealing with water and <br /> sewer in the entire district. <br /> Craig Benedict said that there have been discussions over the last few months with <br /> Orange Alamance, and Orange Alamance has signed a Memorandum of Understanding that it <br /> should work with the County to find out the potential of the system and how the growth of <br /> Orange County in that area would match their system. He has not brought the companion <br /> MOU to the Board of County Commissioners yet, but the Orange Alamance MOU has been <br /> received. He thinks that where Orange Alamance wants to grow is similar to the area where <br /> Orange County wants to grow. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked how long it would take to get this to public hearing and <br /> Frank Clifton said that it would probably be after the first of the year. Commissioner Jacobs <br /> urged doing it at a quarterly public hearing. He made reference to eminent domain and said <br /> that it would be important at the public hearing to explain that it is not the intent of the County <br /> to be condemning land for economic development purposes, but that this would be related to <br /> water and sewer extensions and would be done only as a last resort. <br /> John Roberts said that, generally, with water and sewer the eminent domain authority <br /> would be for the easement only and not an entire piece of property. <br /> Chair Foushee agreed that this needs to be explained clearly to the public. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that she would need more detail before moving forward <br /> with this concept and she would like to know the proposed costs. She would like to know the <br /> percentage of the revenue stream that would benefit Orange County. <br /> Frank Clifton said that he cannot give these answers without doing a significant amount <br /> of study. <br />