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Commissioner Jacobs said that this was a good idea to have laptop computers for the <br />Commissioners, but he feels that the proposal should be developed further. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that he feels he will not use the desktop if he also has a <br />laptop. He agrees that the Commissioners should not have both a desktop and a laptop. He <br />agrees that the paper that is produced needs to be decreased. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that she is not sure about the reliability of laptops. <br />Chair Carey said that he would like to continue with this item. He said that the Board <br />agreed to take action to reduce the amount of paper produced and now everyone is reluctant to do <br />anything. He thinks each Commissioner should decide whether he ar she would like to proceed <br />with the use of laptop computers. <br />Commissioner Brawn feels that it is an individual choice to have a laptop. She is not <br />interested in having one. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Chair Carey to purchase <br />three laptop computers at a cost of $2,802 each. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he was not saying that people should not have laptops <br />or that it would not be a more efficient way to do things. He was just saying that there should be <br />some sort of plan. <br />VOTE: AYES, 4; NO, 1 (Commissioner Jacobs) <br />9. ITEMS FOR DECISION -REGULAR AGENDA <br />a. Contract with OWASA to Extend Water Main Lines to the Historic Rogers Road <br />Neighborhood <br />The Board considered approving a contract with OWASA to construct waterline <br />extensions to designated properties in the historic Rogers Road neighborhood. <br />John Link said that he is pleased to bring forward a contract between the Orange Water <br />and Sewer Authority and the County whereby water lines could be extended to serve the <br />designated properties of the historic Rogers Road neighborhood. The governing boards from all <br />member governments of the landfill owners group approved a series of benefits to be provided to <br />the neighbors, and these benefits were to be carried out by the interlacal agreement through <br />Orange County. In November, the process of installing these watermain lines was brought to the <br />Commissioners. He said that OWASA has been very cooperative and has indicated an aggressive <br />timeline to get the main water lines put in. <br />County Engineer Paul Thames summarized the contract. He said that OWASA would <br />handle all phases to include the acquisition of the consulting engineer to do the design work, to put <br />the project out for bids, to manage the project, and to inspect the project. OWASA will pay the bills <br />initially and will bill the County on a monthly basis. The total project cost is estimated to be <br />approximately $550,000 with about $16,000 for OWASA's administrative overhead costs, $30,000- <br />35,000 far engineering services and easement acquisition and $500,000 for construction costs. It <br />is estimated that the project will be finished within a year from the approval of the contract. <br />John Link pointed out that the funding for this project comes from the landfill owners <br />group. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked about a plan for connections to the homes along this <br />waterline. John Link said that one of the alternatives would be to use sales tax revenue from each <br />jurisdiction although that suggestion has not been well received by the other jurisdictions. Another <br />alternative would be to have the County Commissioners establish an availability fee, which would <br />be charged to each taxpayer in the County. Another alternative would be to establish a district tax. <br />These alternatives will come back to the County Commissioners for a decision. <br />Commissioner Gordon made reference to the memo from Paul Thames, an page 3 in <br />the second paragraph where it says, "It does not provide for a sharing of project costs with <br />potential project beneficiaries living outside the target neighborhood. This might be accomplished <br />through an assessment process." She asked to what he was referring. <br />Paul Thames said that there are same properties beyond the northwest terminus of the <br />12-inch borderline dawn Rogers Raad, which is a neighborhood of fairly expensive houses, on <br />wells and septic tanks. The people in that neighborhood could ask that OWASA extend the <br />