The Board of County Commissioners of Brevard County, Florida, met in special session on August 10, 2000, at 5:30 p.m. in the City of West Melbourne Council Chambers, 2285 Minton Road, West Melbourne, Florida. Present were: Chairman Nancy Higgs, Commissioners Truman Scarborough and Helen Voltz, and Assistant County Manager Stephen Peffer. Absent were: Commissioners Randy O'Brien and Sue Carlson, and County Attorney Scott Knox.

STATEMENT OF PROPOSED RATES, RE: MELBOURNE-TILLMAN WATER CONTROL DISTRICT FOR FY 2000-2001

Al Pennell, Manager of Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District, introduced Board President Veronica Autrey, Board Members Troy Rice, Sam Simonian, Al Hilts, Secretary Treasurer Rita Hutchinson and Assistant Manager for Field Operations Dan Anderson. He advised the District's request is for approval of a zero percent increase in user fees; and the fees proposed for Fiscal Year 2001 will be the same as that for Fiscal Year 2000. He advised the residential rate is $16.73 per lot, acre, or portion thereof, the agricultural rate is $5.86 per lot, acre, or portion thereof, and the commercial rate is $32.50 per lot, acre, or portion thereof, which are the same rates as in FY 2000.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, RE: PROPOSED RATES

Chairman Higgs inquired if there are any cards for public comment; with Secretary Treasurer Rita Hutchinson responding there are no cards. Board Member Sam Simonian expressed his desire to speak on the issue.

Sam Simonian, Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District Board member, advised after September, 2000 he will not be on the Board anymore, as he is unhappy with the setup. He stated a lot more maintenance is necessary; and as it continues to grow, there will be more demand on the Water Control District. He stated the system is not something to be proud of; as they continue to develop there will be a lot of problems down the line; there is more and more use of the system; and the District will not be able to handle it. He stated he would appreciate the Board of County Commissioners thinking about it, and helping to make the Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District a responsible system.

Chairman Higgs thanked Sam Simonian for all of his years of service to the many organizations in the community, not just Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District.

Commissioner Voltz stated the rates are inequitable; and inquired if there is something the Board of County Commissioners can do. Chairman Higgs inquired if Commissioner Voltz wants to look at a different structure of rates; with Commissioner Voltz responding the charge of vacant lots being the same rate as developed lots is ridiculous, and does not allow for growth. She stated no matter how much growth is there, the vacant lots will not benefit from it.

Al Pennell, Manager of Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District, stated the District Board has on the Agenda for August, 2000, a discussion specifically on that item. He stated Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District is required by law, as a special district, to codify its laws; there are five different Statutes that apply to the Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District; and in 1997 the State Legislature passed a ruling that all special districts have to codify their laws into one simple document. He stated the Board will discuss two or three different options to look at; and he wants to make sure his Board is aware of the pluses and minuses of it. He stated if they go that route, they will come before the Board of County Commissioners and ask for its support. He stated as the community grows, there is an automatic increase in terms of funding without doing anything to user fee rates or restructuring the whole financial setup; but it will require going through the Legislative process. He stated the Palm Bay community is less than 20-25% built out within the Melbourne-Tillman District, which means 80% are vacant lots.

Commissioner Voltz inquired if Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District is going to request the changes at a State Legislative Session next year; with Mr. Pennell responding he cannot move forward without his Board's approval. He stated it has it on the Agenda to discuss; and if it elects to go that route, he will talk with the Legislative Delegation in the Fall.

Chairman Higgs advised as the Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District brings the Board of County Commissioners a recommendation, it will work with them. Mr. Pennell stated if Melbourne-Tillman goes that route, it will be beneficial to have support of Brevard County; and the Board of County Commissioners needs to be part of it because that is the way the law is set up. He advised it may not work, as the original Delegation wanted to leave it at three units; and in 1986 there were as many as ten different land use categories. Chairman Higgs advised the Board of County Commissioners understands some of the issues and will work with the Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District.

TENTATIVE APPROVAL, RE: PROPOSED RATES FOR MELBOURNE-TILLMAN WATER CONTROL DISTRICT FOR FY 2000-2001

Motion by Commissioner Voltz, seconded by Commissioner Scarborough, to grant tentative approval of proposed rates as requested by the Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District for FY 2000-2001, at $16.73 for residential, $5.86 for agricultural, and $32.50 for commercial, which is a 0% increase from last year. Motion carried and ordered unanimously. Upon motion and vote, the meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.

ATTEST:

NANCY HIGGS, CHAIRMAN
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

SANDY CRAWFORD, CLERK
( S E A L )