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have to do this for everyone-putting all of their lines underground. He said their relationship with the State and the Utility Commission is, as much as they possibly can, to build it inexpensively, build it wisely and build it safely. Overhead construction does this. The problem is consistency. He said he can ask his board the question but he does not have the authority to deviate. Chair Carey asked Craig Benedict about the underground vs. overhead lines and the SUP which was issued by the County. Craig Benedict said that this section is in the EDD and requires all utility lines to be underground by their regulations. He said that the bottom line is that the utilities are to be underground and deviation is not anticipated. John Link said that the Board of County Commissioners can deviate and can make a judgment and that this is a public purpose. Commissioner Gordon said that when you talk about natural disasters such as tornados, there is an advantage to putting lines underground. Commissioner Jacobs said that the utilities commission's report said that replacing the existing overhead distribution lines with underground lines would cost approximately $41 billion, nearly six times the net book value of the utilities' current distribution assets, and would require approximately 25 years to complete. Commissioner Jacobs said that he is looking for some sort of compromise such as possibly carrying the lines across the width of the property gratis and then putting the lines on the county side of the road, if this is not in violation of the county's SUP. Later the county can pay at some subsequent time if they choose to bury the lines. He is just looking for a way to move this forward. Duke Power can be the good corporate citizen that it likes to portray itself as and perhaps is and we can get some decision makers or people who potentially can bring the policy to the table so we can bring a resolution back to the boards. The sooner we can have this meeting, the sooner we can move. Commissioner Jacobs made this proposal in the form of a motion. A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs and seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis not to allocate $250,000 to OCS and to ask far a meeting with Chair Carey, Commissioner Halkiotis, OCS representatives, DOT, Piedmont Electric and Duke Power and to find out if DOT will grant a right of way. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Chair Carey said that he is not prepared now or in the future to approve giving the OCS $250,000 for this. Superintendent Carraway said if they were able to set up a meeting, haw quickly can they get this information back to the Board of County Commissioners? She said that OCS is very close to not being able to meet their time frame for middle school #3. Geof Gledhill said that the only process that the zoning ordinance allows is a rezoning in the SUP and this standard cannot change in one week. Geof Gledhill said that you would have to have a public hearing and John Link said that could be accomplished in the month of October and Geof Gledhill said that this is possible with a special meeting at the end of the month. Commissioner Jacobs said they could advertise now for a special meeting. John Link asked Scott Gardner about a payment plan and Mr. Gardner said usually all monies are paid upfront and he is not aware of any payment plans. Chair Carey said that assuming the $250,000 is paid, when will the loop line get constructed and Scott Gardner said that this money is only for underground burial and they will install the lines overhead for free. Duke Power is not going to invest capital just to sit there.