news-record.com

GIBSONVILLE — Board of Aldermen members said they would look into the new water billing cycle after a resident complained it doesn’t give people enough time to pay.

The town recently switched from bimonthly to monthly billing. Instead of a month to pay, residents have about 15 days.

“This is not a reasonable time frame,” said Betsy Stevens, who brought in a petition with eight names on it from her neighborhood. Stevens asked that residents be given three weeks to pay.

After 15 days, residents are charged a $5 late fee. After 25 days, the late fee is $30. State law allows the town to disconnect water service 10 days after the account is delinquent, Town Manager Ben Baxley said.

Some other North Carolina towns have similar billing cycles, he said.
“We’re not really doing anything out of the ordinary,” Baxley said.

Baxley addressed one of Stevens’ concerns by saying that people who will be out of town for several weeks can prepay the minimum amount before leaving. Also, residents can set up automatic payments through their checking accounts.

Baxley advised the board to wait six months before making any changes.

Several aldermen said they would look into the issue to see how changing the payment period would affect meter crews and billing.
In other business, the town needs residents to serve on a storm water advisory committee.

The committee will make recommendations to the Board of Aldermen on major storm water policy issues. These could include changes to the development ordinance, budget recommendations or planning project priorities. Call Baxley at 449-4144 if you are interested.

The aldermen also approved:

• A resolution allowing Baxley to investigate a petition for annexation from Todd E. Tickle, owner of property at 720 Piedmont Ave.

• A proclamation naming Sept. 14-20 “Habitat for Humanity Week.”

Contact Jamie Kennedy Jones at jamie. kennedy@news-record.com or 449-4610.