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4 <br /> Efland area. This would then allow those individuals in Orange Heights to be <br /> covered by the same blanket tap fee as those who signed up to receive the <br /> service in the Efland area. Beyond the sign-up period the County would be <br /> faced with new costs and how to deal with the tap-on costs. It's feasible to <br /> do what Brown proposed with some limitation to a sign-up period. <br /> In answer to Frank Sheffield's question, Thompson indicated the rates for <br /> Orange Heights would be the same as those for the Efland area. This would not <br /> affect the future annexation of this area. <br /> Commissioner Marshall indicated that once this area is annexed recipients <br /> they would not be subject to the County tap fee but would need to continue <br /> paying the same rates. <br /> Kenneth Thompson stated that if the Town built the lines, at their cost, <br /> up West Hill Avenue to Highway 70 and then run a parallel line into gravity fed <br /> lines, it would not affect Efland at all. The Town would need to agree not to <br /> go into the force main, and if the Town were to go into the force main, it <br /> would agree to upgrade the line. <br /> Moses Carey asked if the work could be completed by the Town between now <br /> and December. <br /> Mayor Frank Sheffield said that the Town is on a priority schedule and it <br /> would be virtually impossible to do this project within the required time. <br /> Lynwood Brown stated that the Town may need to make a sacrifice to help <br /> the people in Orange Heights and Efland. <br /> Mayor Sheffield noted there would be no trouble in building the line to <br /> Lake Shore Drive, the problem is to make sure the Town can connect other homes <br /> onto the line. The only way would be to run parallel lines. <br /> Commissioner Marshall indicated that the service area needs to be defined <br /> in order to proceed with the project. <br /> Frank Sheffield asked that the County allow Orange Heights to tie on and <br /> that the rate charged to those in that area be the Town rate after annexation <br /> with no County tap-on fee. The monthly cost would be collected by the town and <br /> remitted to the County. <br /> Kenneth Thompson stated that up until the time Orange Heights is annexed <br /> by the Town of Hillsborough, it would be necessary for those customers to pay <br /> the debt service element. <br /> Frank Sheffield pointed out that as the project stands, the County would <br /> not receive any income at all from those in the Orange Heights area. <br /> Commissioner Marshall suggested that Ken Thompson, Don Wilihoit and <br /> Geoffrey Gledhill work with Mayor Frank Sheffield or his designee within the <br /> next few days to work out an agreement. She emphasized that the County is <br /> willing to work with the Town in any way that will be equitable for the system <br /> to meet the approval of FNMA. <br /> Remus Smith asked if the County could loan the Town the money to build the <br /> line in Orange Heights and was told that the County is in the process of <br /> working on the budget and not sure that the money would be available. <br /> Moses Carey summarized that the agreement would contain a statement <br /> permitting the Town or the County to increase tap fees at the prevailing rate, <br /> the meter will be placed east of the river, and that the Town is not in a <br /> position to build the line because of money and time constraits. <br /> Commissioner Marshall noted that the immediate problems are with Orange <br /> Heights, and the determination of the fees that must be charged to the <br /> customer. The County must determine how far they can decrease the rates and <br /> still be able to meet the debt service obligation. <br /> With no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned. <br /> Shirley Marshall, Vice-Chair <br /> Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk <br />