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further, they are not in a position to analyze and challenge the accuracy of the county-by-county sales ratio studies. One county, Mecklenburg, has applied for intervention and has retained the law firm that normally represenns the county. A couple of other counties have seriously considered doing likewise. This matter was discussed at length in last week's North Carolina County Attorneys' Association Summer Conference by all participants. That Association with approximately 45 counties represented, voted unanimously to inform all counties of this litigation and to urgently request that all 100 counties pool their financial resources in order to provide a coordinated defense. It is believed that a coordinated approach relying on one law firm to organize the defense, including the selection Of expert witnesses, is the most sensible and economical way to assure that the counties' common interests are represented, without the necessity of intervention by eacb county. The lawsuit contains fairly complicated issues: plaintiff railroads are represented by legal counsel experienced in similar cases in several other states, and the trial is presently scheduled for the third week in September; therefore; substantial preparation will be necessary - and in short order. Hamlin L. Wade of the Charlotte law firm of Ruff, Bond, Cobb, Wade and McNair, which is representing Mecklenburg County, had indicated he would be willing to undertake coordination of defense for all counties. We believe that he can do an excellent job representing the counties and recommend that the pool be ~sed to retain him. We estimate that a maximum fund of $50,000 will be necessary to pay for legal representation and for the hiring of expert witnesses. In order to fund the pool, we recommend the following: (1) Ail 100 counties are asked to participane - witl] a minumum contribution of $100 per county. (Even counties who are not listed in the complaint have an interest in the lawsuit, because the court will be asked to decide for the first time whether such sales ratios studies have been properly conducted and its judgment may become precedent for future challenges by the railroad and even for suits by other utilities whose property is revalued each year.% (2) The North Carolina Association of County Con~nissidners Board of Directors is requested to direct its central office to collect legal defense contributions from the counties, disburse these funds to the law firm periodically, to generally account for and adminisner the fund on behalf of participating counties,and to notify them periodically of the lawsuit's progress.