Town mulls increasing fees, rates

W. TERRY SMITH
Editor

May 13, 2008 10:42 am

— The cost of living in the Town of Tarboro will be more expensive.
Town Manager Sam Noble announced several increases while previewing the proposed $44.7 million budget for 2008-09 Monday night for Mayor and Council.
The fee for having your garbage picked up is going up from $16.75 per month to $19.25. That’s because of the increased Edgecombe County landfill costs from $42.50 per ton to $45 per ton effective July 1.
Water and sewer rates will increase for the first time in 17 years.
“The town has no debt on its water and sewer system which has allowed the town to keep rates from increasing in previous years,” Noble said.
But the drought last year “resulted in a reduction of water consumption while fuel and chemical costs have increased dramatically,” he said.
Water and sewer rates will increase 15 percent for all classes of customers. This will mean about a $5 hike from $30 to $35 for most residential customers who use 6,000 gallons of water per month, according to Public Works Director David Cashwell.
Councilman Jim Alford pointed out that Tarboro water rates are still below that of nearby Rocky Mount, Wilson and Greenville.
Electric rates also are increasing, but how much will not be clear until June, Electric Utility Director Rick Page said.
The rate increase will probably take effect in September, which means the town will not increase its rates until the July or August Town Council meeting.
But for budget purposes, Noble is using a 9.5 percent figure.
This hike is due to increased transportation costs to ship coal to coal-fired generating plants and increased nuclear fuel prices for the nuclear-generating plants.
Page said the average residential customer would see his monthly bill increase about $12, from $120 to $132.
The town also is planning to pay its share (29 percent, based on population) toward a new roof for the Edgecombe County Memorial Library, which is estimated to cost about $220,000.
Tarboro, however, is not allocating any funds toward a $500,000 library renovation or $8 million new building.
A 2.5 percent pay raise is budgeted for all employees and a 2.5 percent merit raise for above standard employees, about 70 percent of the 180-person work force, the town manager said.
Mayor and Council will begin reviewing the budget at 2 p.m. today and, if necessary, Wednesday.
A public hearing on the budget is set for 7 p.m. June 9 at which time the council is expected to adopt a spending plan. It takes effect July 1.