The Daily Southerner, Tarboro, NC

Local News

November 1, 2012

County to collect Princeville water bills

Staff Writer Calvin Adkins

TARBORO — PRINCEVILLE — In its first drastic move to get Princeville's finances back in order, the Local Government Commission turned over the town's dysfunctional water and sewer collection to Edgecombe County effective Dec. 1.

Edgecombe County will be responsible for billing customers, collecting payment, disconnecting past due accounts and managing the town's water and sewer system.

In a letter issued to Princeville's water and sewer customer, Sharon Edmundson, LGC director fiscal management section, who is also acting as the town's finance officers, pointed out that Princeville will remain the owner of the system and will be in charge of setting rates for the services provided.

Bills will be mailed the last day of the month and payment will be due on the 15th of each month. Bills not paid by the 15th will be assessed a $10 late fee. Bills not paid by the 25th are considered delinquent and will be charged $30. The $30 fee will be charged whether or not service is disconnected.

Allowing customers to become delinquent more than one month is one of the problems that caused Princeville's water and sewer collection to become dysfunctional. According to a town document in September 2011, uncollected water and sewer funds totaled more than $50,000. Of that, more than 50 customers' bills ranged from $200 to more than $1,000 including four customers that were billed a combined total of $5,000."

Aiding the town's condition was a policy that passed by a 3-2 vote in April 2010 that allowed citizens to make partial payments on their bill and continue with service. Some citizens apparently took advantage of the policy and bills escalated.

In June, 200 citizens were placed on a cutoff list for delinquent payement. In July the LGC took over the town's finances and deemed its water and sewer collection rate was in disarray. T. Vance Holloman, deputy treasurer of N.C. Department of Treasuer, reported that the town water and sewer fund balance was negative more than $298,000.

Hollman addressed the county board of commissioners during its September meeting asking them to look into taking over Princeville entire water and sewer system. The board agreed. One month later Mayor Priscilla Everette-Oates addressed the board and asked them not to take over the system.

Commissioner Ann Howell also attended the meeting. Although she didn't speak before the county board, she was for the county taking over the system. When she received the news that the county had agreed to take over the billing and manage the system, she was overjoyed.

"As a commissioner, words can't describe how I feel about the county assisting Princeville," she said. "It's bad when you need help and you don't know you need help. That's the problem that we have with some of our elected officials who don't want the county to take over. Because of the policies that were voted on by the majority, we are in this predicament. This is the first big step in getting the town back on track. The citizens will benefit from this."

During the September meeting, Edgecombe County Chairman Leonard Wiggins said the county is committed to helping the LGC's problem with the town. The county board agreed to perform an analysis that will provide information to determine whether or not it is feasible for the county to take over the system.

"We believe that the county can manage the system in a cost efficient manner that will bring cost savings to the town and improve services to Princeville utility customers."

After Nov. 20, customers must call 252-823-3042 for water and sewer concerns.





 

Text Only
Local News
  • AIB.jpg America in Bloom judges’ visit Tarboro next month

    Tarboro’s America in Bloom (AIB) steering committee is gearing up for the AIB judges’ visit to town next month. AIB is a national non-profit organization that promotes “beautification through education and community involvement.”
    “Please join us as Tarboro prepares for the visit of national AIB judges on June 17 and 18,” said AIB co-chair Connie Sherrill in a competition planning update. “Help us bring out the beauty of our exceptional town.”

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • Brown.jpg Local Principal Completes Leadership Program

    Donnell Brown, principal of Phillips Middle School, recently completed the Distinguished Leadership Program (DLP), a yearlong leadership development program for practicing school principals designed and provided by the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principal’s Association (NCPAPA) in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and UNC-LearnNC.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • Woman faces 32 charges

    A Tarboro woman's scam has led authorities to arrest her on 28 charges.
    According to a Tarboro Police Department report, Jennifer Ann Carr, 29, 1609 Barlow Rd. Apt. 9, took out loans in the names of 16 customers of a local business from January through April. Carr was employed through a temp agency with a local business, said Tarboro Police Sgt. Al Braxton. Braxton said the total loan amount netted $4,300.  
    Carr was charged with 16 counts of identity theft and 16 counts of obtaining property by false pretenses. She was place in Edgecombe County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond.
     

    May 22, 2013

  • CRIME.jpg Two suspects arrested on 36 charges; third issued citation

    After executing a search warrant Thursday on a residence at 500 W. Johnston St. in Tarboro, police officers arrested two suspects for possessing a small amount of marijuana and issued a third suspect a citation for possessing a glass pipe to smoke the drugs.
    After the marijuana was found, officers notified two of the three suspects that they also had additional warrants on them from the department's "Spring Fling" drug campaign where they had sold marijuana to undercover officers.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • S.Herring.jpg Introductory Latin class beginning Tuesday

    Want a leg up in a medical terminology course? Anatomy? Physical science? Take a look at Latin, perhaps the best grounding for all education.
    Not convinced? Just ask Stephen Herring, instructor of religion, geography, and developmental studies at Edgecombe Community College (ECC). He will teach an Introductory Latin class beginning Tuesday. The class will meet at Fleming 218 on the Tarboro campus.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • DWI-Tests.jpg NTSB wants to lower DWI blood alcohol levels

    The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a bold set of targeted interventions to put the United States on course to eliminate alcohol-impaired related crashes. They have given recommendations that call for stronger laws, swifter enforcement and expanded use of technology.

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • Susan-Barnes-headshot.jpg Measles cases have state health officials concerned

    Twenty-three cases of the measles have been reported in North Carolina in a recent outbreak and has state health officials concerned.
    “It (measles) is a highly contagious disease that is spread in the air by coughing and sneezing,” said Susan Rogerson, nursing director at the Edgecombe County Health Department. Outbreaks of measles in the United States are rare because of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • MLK-Property.jpg County still looking for bids on 41 properties

    While county commissioners have accepted bids on seven foreclosure properties, a total of 41 others remain available for interested parties to submit bids.
    County Planning Director Brian Hassell said interested parties may submit bids for commissioners to consider. If a bid is approved and another party is interested, they may submit an upset bid.

    May 16, 2013 1 Photo

  • Buddy.jpg Scouts honor ‘Buddy’ Hooks

    Try as he might, master of ceremonies Dave Sharpe was unable to talk someone into telling an unexpected story on Ellis “Buddy” Hooks as Hooks was recognized as the 2013 Edgecombe County Distinguished Citizen Award recipient by the Boy Scouts of America.

    May 15, 2013 1 Photo

  • Sheriff_Knight.jpg Sheriff's Department to host junior academy

    The Edgecombe County Sheriff's Department will be hosting a junior academy for students ages 13-18 years old. Sheriff James Knight believes that this is the most important times of a juvenile's life and wants them to learn about the criminal justice system.

    May 15, 2013 1 Photo