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mostly about. That ' s. . . the sewer fund is the one out of which <br /> the wastewater management division operates right now. And <br /> the fund has always been subsidized to nearly 40 or 50% of <br /> its budget every year. So what we ' re trying to do is maxi- <br /> mize the revenue by sewer fee monthly collections, and try- <br /> ing to get as many people on the sewer system as possible. <br /> BETHEA: Well, the sewer fund money that comes in, is <br /> it earmarked so it can be only used for that particular <br /> program? I mean, how does it work? Is it general funds of <br /> your department? Or is its use restricted by ordinance? <br /> ONO: I 'm not sure of the background, but by practice <br /> it goes into the sewer fund. And it's. . .there is probably an <br /> ordinance or a state statute that supports that, so you are <br /> not. . .unable to use these funds as general funds. <br /> Specifically for the sewer operation and maintenance and <br /> capital improvements. <br /> BETHEA: So at least by practice, it ' s not used for <br /> general fund purposes? <br /> ONO: No, sir. <br /> BETHEA: And it ' s been operating in deficits of each <br /> year as far as your budget request you make, you request the <br /> County supplement that fund? <br /> ONO: Yes, sir. <br /> BETHEA: Is. . . in your automotive section, is any of the <br /> work on County vehicles--I know you've said you exclude the <br /> Fire Department and the Police Department because they do <br /> their own--is there any private contracting? <br /> ONO: Yes . <br /> BETHEA: How much of that? How does it relate to it? <br /> ONO: About 30% at the present time is contracted out <br /> through various vendors or stations. . .service: stations or <br /> garages . <br /> BETHEA: Do you think the County gets value through that <br /> contracting process? <br /> ONO: Oh, absolutely. It helps us to balance our work <br /> load. We have probably the worse ratio of mechanics to <br /> equipment. Our ratio is in the neighborhood of 63 pieces per <br /> mechanic. And you will never find that in any other organi- <br /> zation around the entire state, as I compared when I wanted to <br /> 135 <br />