April 15,1992"OK COUNTY TEL :1 -813- 763 -9529 Apr 15 92 13:11 No.001 P.01
7 gee° le
?tte bacon
FRDn
Th b rago
G 'I--y n h e e,Ghd bee
TELECOPY
NAME: John Drago
COMPANY: City of Okeechobee
FAX NUMBER: 6 -1
MESSAGE COVER SHEET
PLEASE DELIVER THE FOLLOWING PAGE (S) TO:
FROM
TITLE: city Administrator
CITY:
NAME: Dave J. Rivera TITLE: County Manager
FAX NUMBER: 813/763 -9529 This .is a covy of the review
from Mark Lawwn of Nataor, Giblin NIckorson, for a Utility
___Authority. The Board of County Commissioners has approved
Phase I and proceeding with trig "Scope of Work" on page 2 of this
1 ter
TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING THIS COVER SHEET.
DATE SENT:
Please call 813/763 -6441 if you do not receive all pages.
THANK YOU.
4/15/92
'OKEECHOBEE COUNTY TEL:1- 813 -763 -9529 Rpr 15 92 13:11 No.001 P.01
7 )1/ lie. ifipr F5 9,
F
h j. brO L 90
G ov c I
COMPANY: City of Okeechobee
FAX NUMBER: -1
P
utho
1 ter
I
DATE SENT:
THANK YOU.
TELECOPY
MESSAGE COVER SHEET
PLEASE DELIVER THE FOLLOWING PAGE (S) TO:
NAME: John Drago TITLE: city Administrator
FROM
CITY:
NAME: J. Rivera TITLE:. County Manager
FAX NUMBER: 813/763 -9529 �This•is acoav of the review
from Mark Law *Qn of Nabors Giblin NIckerson, for a Utility
he B••r• •f ount
1•
•r•cee
f Work"
TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES 6_ INCLUDING THIS COVER SHEET.
4/15/92_
n-r
Please call 813/763 -6441 if you do not receive all pages.
*OKEECHOBEE COUNTY
TEL :1 -813- 763 -9529 Apr 15 92 13:11 No.001 P.01
77): go/ zva,
At,, ,La-/-
FPD00.' JOhn rasD
K ecchab
NAME: Dave J. Rivera
FAX NUMBER: 813/763 9529
DATE SENT:
THANK YOU.
TELECOPY
MESSAGE COVER SHEET
PLEASE DELIVER THE FOLLOWING PAGE(S) TO:
NAME:_ John Drago TITLE: city Administrator
COMPANY: City of Okeechobee CITY:
FAX NUMBER: 763 168k
FROM
TITLE:. County Manager
This_is •f h r =vi w
from Mark Lawson of Nahor, Giblin Nickerson, for a Utility
_Authority. The Board of _ounty Commissioners has approved
f Work"
Ph se 1 =n• •r•cee
le ter
TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING THIS COVER SHEET.
4 •2
2
Please call 813/763 6441 if you do not receive all pages.
i
t•
.OKEECHOBEE COUNTY
6AMIAN M, ■LLAKLtY
THOMAS H. oup ry
THOMAS OISLIN
MASK 4, LAWOON
MAUMLN M.4AATHY
MApK T, MUSTIAN
IROSIRT L. NAOCIts
DEOPOI N. NIGKaf40N, dry,
OltrO'NY T. DTtWA11T
JOHN R. STOK[4
Dear Dale:
TEL 7: 1 :1-813-763-9529
I1 SL.t1Pll i r L.
Apr 15 92
NAe0NIS, GIOLIN NICKERSON, P.A.
ATTO1NaYS AT LAW
dAPNtTT SANK Oull.oINO, Mums 600
315 9ONYH 4ALHOUN sTRLCT
TALLAHASM rLOhIDA 3*301
TeLePHON& (904) e24 -4070
TCLLCQPY 12041 664. 4079
February 24, 1992
VIA,FACBIMILB TRAMMIBBION
13:12 No .001 P.02
I
tom POINTG, BUITe 1050
e'5Qe ROCKY POINT DPIYt
TAMPA, rLORIbA 33607
(113) 261 -inee
T5I.540NY (010) 261 -0158
M. Dale Milita
County Manager
Board of County Commissioners
304 N.W. 2nd Street, Room 106
Okeechobee, Florida 34972
Ret Feasibility Review and Identification of Governance
Alternatives for a central. Water System for Portions of
the Unincorporated Area of Okeechobee County
This correspondence is written in response to your inquiries
and request that Nabors, Giblin Nickerson, P.A. (the "Firm")
provide assistance and advisee in outlining •,a series of steps to
assist the County Commission in making a* determination of the
feasibility of providing central water service to certain portions
of the unincorporated area of Okeechobee County and Glades County,
Although this correspondence will concentrate on the initial
phase, it is envisioned that this endeavor may ultimately involve
the provision of necessary legal and finanoial consulting services
required to review, analyze, implement a governing structure and
ultimately finance provision of water treatment and distribution
infrastructure initially, and by possibly wastewater transmission
and treatment infrastructure at a later date.
For the purposes of this proposal, the conceptual scope of
work is divided into the following phases:
1. Phase I feasibility review and identification of
governance alternatives.
2. Phase 1I implementation phase.
3. Phase III financing phase.
OKEECHOBEE COUNTY
M. Dale Milita
February 24, 1992
Page 2
TEL :1 313 763 9529 Apr 15 92 13.12 No.001�P.03
We would recommend that Phase 1 include corroboration between the
Firm and a local government financial consulting firm such as David
M. Griffith and Associates, Inc. (""DMG and have included an
estimated fee including the expected services of or local
government financial consultant in Phase 1. An estimated range of
fees and cost is not included for Phase II due to the presently
indeterminate 'scope. Included under Phase III is a proposed fee
arrangement for our Firm to provide services as bond counsel.
Phase Is Preliminary Determination at Feasibility
and Identification of governance Alternatives.
OW o ;_work:
1.. Review any existing reports, other written materials
concerning the Beach association system, expected infrastructure
needs, engineering options, maps of affected geographic area, and
any other pertinent documentation in order to familiarize ourselves
with the project.
2. Determine and identify County objectives. Individual
interviews with all members of the Board of CommiBeioners and key
staff. Interviews with selected community leaders.
3. Survey of other service providers Or jurisdictions. Meet
with City officials in order to obtain an understanding of City
service ob and capabilities. Meet with Beach Association
officials in order to obtain an understanding of service objectives
and capabilities. Meat with Glades County officials relative to
the provision of services by a utility system operated by
Okeechobee County within Glades County. Identify, and if
necessary, meat and interview officials from, any service providers
having Public Service Commission certificated areas in the affected
portion of Okeechobee and Glades Counties.
4. Preliminary identification of the County's potential
servioe area, required eervioes and infrastructure (both treatment
and distribution) and master planning needs. Assess current, short
and long term capabilities. Xdentify preliminary time line and a
critical path for the creation of a central utility system.
Analyze the use of interlooal, transition and /or acquisition
agreements, Public Service Commission considerations, financing and
debt capacity considerations.
5. Identify and aseeee governance alternatives (e.g. County
operated central system, use of interloaal agreements with the City
or the Beach Association, regional, utility authority, or other
spacial district or municipal service unit options). Analyze and
`OKEECHOBEE COUNTY TEL :1 813 763 -9529 Apr 15 92 13:13 No.001 P.04
f triu'.JI L 1 1 IL 1 fHLLHHH5 Lk., h L P. 4
L.0 r 2 r LIU
I,•
t
M. Dale Milita
February 24, 1992
Page 3
prioritize structure options. Consider control and responsiveness
aspects vis-a -vis the County and ratepayers. Analyze and
prioritize potential revenue options and sources.
6. Prepare and present a Phase I Summary Report of Findings
and Recommendations to include (a) governance options, (b) revenue
options, (c) Recommendations, and (d) suggested outline of a phase
II or implementation phase scope of work.
$etimatead_ Fee and Costa:
It is proposed that the Phase I would be completed for an
estimated fee payable to the Firm of $15,000, plus expenses,
including travel, long distance telephone calls, copy and other
direct costs incurred in providing the contemplated services. Firm
expenses would not be expected to exceed 82,500 for Phase I
services. It is anticipated the Firm may employ the services of
DMC and possibly other consultants, relative to specialized
utility, engineering or financial aspects to be examined. Upon
authorization to proceed by the County Commission, it is proposed
we be paid based upon the hours incurred by the Firm at the
following rates:
Hourly Rates of the Firm
1. Firm principals 82.80
2. Senior Firm asesociatee $125
3. Firm associates $100
4, Legal clerks 50
Services provided by DMa would be provided at $80 to $125 per hour,
plus expenses, and the use of other specialized consultants would
be only upon the County Manager's approval.
Time incurred in travel would be billed at one -halt the above
specified hourly rates, It is contemplated the Phase I Summary
Report of Findings and Recommendations would be completed within
forty five (45) calendar days of receiving an authorization to
proceed. Dependant upon cooperation from county staff, some
extraordinary assistance from the County engineer, and the
responsiveness of other currant or potential service providers,
particularly City, Beach Association and Glades County officials,
we may be able to complete the summary report within (30) calendar
days.
'OKEECHOBEE COUNTY TEL:1- 813 763 -9529 Apr 15 92 13:14 No.001 P.05
ir.
r.
M. Dale Milita
February 24, 1992
Page 4
Financing Phase
Assuming financing of infrastructure for a central utility
system by the issuance of bonds, the following is a description of
the Scope of Work and fee for the Firm to serve as bond counsel.
Qoope .f Work:
1. Preparation of authorizing resolutions, such as
supplemental resolutions, certifications, closing documents and
legal opinions as is customary in providing a bond counsel services
and debt financing.
2. Preparation of pleadings and prosecution of validation
proceedings of authorized bonds.
EatimatpaJ, a and Costs:
The Firma basis for fees for bond counsel services is
calculated on an amount par bond (a bond being a $1,000 increment
in principal amount of the bonds) We would propose a fee of $2.00
per bond with a minimum fee of $20,000 plus actual out --of- pocket
cost as described above. Time incurred in the validation
proceeding will ba billed at the Firm hourly rates specified above.
A11 bond counsel related foes and expanses are contingent upon the
closing of the bond issue.
Summary
The primary thrust of the Firm's practice revolves around
assisting and advising local governments. We acutely aware of
and have previously dealt with the various complex and diffioult
issues small local governments face when they Create a central
utility system. Okeechobee County is a valued client and we are
pleased to make this proposal. We would enjoy the opportunity to
work with the County in this challenging endeavor. However, the
creation of a central utility system will have.a significant impact
on your community and for such an endeavor to be successful, local
government must be an active, well informed and a willing
participant. Accordingly, our objective is to first assist the
County Commission in identifying and evaluating the tasks necessary
to cautiously and intelligently embark upon bringing central water
and sewer to the urbanized areas surrounding Lake Okeechobee,
Okeechobee and an adjacent portion of Glades County.
We trust this proposal is in response to your inquiry. This
proposal is designed to assist the County in taking the first steps
"OKEEtHOBEE COUNTY TEL :1 813 -763 -9529 Apr 15 92 13:15 No.001 P.06
M. Dale Milita
February 24, 1992
Page 5
in this process. If you or any other County officials have any
questions, please feel free to call me at any time.
Thank you for your consideration of the Firm. We Would
welcome the opportunity to assist Okeechobee County in addressing
the important issues relative to the provision of central water and
sewer services.
MGL /abl
co: Robert E. Sheets, DMG
Robert L. Nabors
George H. Nickerson, Jr.
ve�C truly yours,
Mark'G. Lawson