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PAGE 4 <br /> ownership. The treatment facilities could remain in the private sector as far as <br /> ownership. Operation by the County could either involve direct operation by <br /> employees of the County or could be done under subcontract by other companies or <br /> other public agencies. The cost for this service would presumably be recovered <br /> from the users and the rates would be established such that they would be <br /> sufficient to provide for normal operation and maintenance as well as periodic <br /> replacement of major components of the system. A much lesser role for the County <br /> would be for the County to become directly involved in the monitoring of the <br /> operation and maintenance of the system. There is a precedent here locally for <br /> local governments to become involve. We understand that the City of Raleigh has <br /> recently implemented a program whereby they will make quarterly inspections of <br /> package treatment plants in the Falls Lake watershed. More frequent inspections <br /> will hopefully serve to create a higher public awareness of the system operation <br /> and could bring pressure to bear on the current operators to improve their level of <br /> performance. The issue is can the systems function over a long period of time. <br /> There are a number that have failed to do so. If you are to proceed with this type <br /> of treatment system in Orange County, then it would be appropriate for the <br /> Commissioners to consider changes in the current policy to try and achieve an <br /> increased level of performance. <br /> This ended Mr. Cordell's presentation. Commissioner Hartwell asked some clarifying <br /> questions which Mr. Cordell answered. No other comments were made. <br /> Motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Hartwell <br /> to refer this report to the manager for a recommendation. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS. <br /> Manager John Link proposed that he bring back to the Board some form of <br /> recommendation that would establish the procedures whereby some qualified entity <br /> either presently existing or to be created be responsible for monitoring the <br /> design, construction and operation of the alternative systems in Orange County and <br /> that the design and construction be warranted by the builder or some type of bonded <br /> surety process and that the cost incurred for the monitoring be borne by the owners <br /> of the system. <br /> The Quarterly Joint Public Hearing continued after this presentation. <br />