Fremont sewer rate drops 7% - Wayne-Wilson News Leader, Fremont, NC

19 July 2007 — When Fremont citizens receive their sewer bills in September, they’ll see a change that should put a smile on their faces - a seven percent decrease in rates.

Following a discussion on implementing differentiated rates for in-town and out-of-town sewer customers, the Fremont Town board approved lowering in-town rates to $8 per thousand gallons and raising out-of-town rates to $16 per thousand gallons.

The in-town rate decreases from $8.54, approximately a seven percent drop, while the out-of-town rate increases from the same price.

Town Manager Kerry McDuffie began discussions on the rate change at last month’s meeting. He had originally proposed a nine percent decrease for in-town customers, but after re-working the numbers he proposed the approved increase at this month’s meeting.

Board members tabled the discussion last month, after requesting more information on how other municipalities handle in-town and out-of-town rates. Some felt that the changes were too harsh, almost doubling out-of-town rates.

However, Mr. McDuffie said that in his research, he could not find any towns that have the same rates for in-town and out-of-town customers.

“It should cost more to get sewer service outside of town,” he said. “You want to encourage people to be inside the limits and develop the economy there.”

He also noted that the town already charges more for water services to customers outside of the town limits.

“So all we’re doing is bringing the sewer up the same way,” said Alderman Leon Mooring.

Both Mayor Devone Jones and Alderman Billy Harvey noted that, with the current system, in-town customers may actually end up paying the higher price for improvements to the sewer system. Because the rural customers don’t pay town taxes, which pay for many of the repairs, the burden is put on in-town citizens.

“The citizens here are the ones who provided the possibility for people out of town to use the system anyway,” he said.

However, Aldermen W.T. Smith and Leroy Ruffin expressed hesitation to increase the rates so quickly. The rural customers consist primarily of group homes, schools, and the airport, and they felt it was a big increase for groups on strict budgets.

Alderman Harvey agreed, but noted that not making the change was impacting citizens.

The change was approved by a 4-6 vote, with Aldermen Smith and Ruffin voting against the change.

“It’s just too much on the people in the county at one time,” said Mr. Smith.

While the town is lowering rates, it is finally receiving a break on it’s own sewer bills, largely due to repairs to the sewer system.

Mr. McDuffie said that the sewer project is about halfway finished, and is set to be completed by the end of October. But the repairs already completed are having big impacts on the town’s sewer bills.

The highest bill that the town received from Goldboro before repairs began was $87,000. The bill for the month of June was substantially less, at only $16,700 due to decreased infiltration of rainwater into the lines.

Mr. McDuffie noted that summer bills are generally lower than winter anyway, because the heat evaporates some of the rain before it is absorbed into lines, but that clearly the sewer repairs are having a positive impact.

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