County committee to recommend water rules


by Cathy Ringley

The Vance County Board of Commissioners’ Planning & Environmental Committee met yesterday in the office of County Manager Jerry Ayscue to discuss a set of rules and regulations for the Vance County Water District developed by consultants Hobbs, Upchurch, & Associates.

A recording of the meeting may be heard here.

Commissioners Dan Brummitt and Terry Garrison were present, along with Ayscue and consultant Fred Hobbs.

Ayscue told members that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the rules and regulations required by the USDA, presumably stipulated by the loan acquired by the county from that agency for the purpose of building the water system.

Ayscue said that the county is ready to proceed with design work that takes advantage of the timing of funding from the USDA. He said that the county is also looking forward to funding from the state via the Rural Center.

Hobbs then ran down the rules for the committee. Highlights of those rules and regulations include:

  • Tap-on fees will be set at $2,000, or $125 if done during early sign-up.
  • Renters can apply directly to the water system, with the permission of the landlord. Landlords will be able to defer water accounts to tenants.
  • Customers will be required to purchase and maintain a pressure reducing valve.
  • Service may be refused permanently to any customer who tampers with a meter or other tampering device.
  • Any customer who signs up for a tap during the early incentive offer has 90 days to connect to the District’s water system. After that period, they will be billed the monthly minimum fee ($25).
  • The complete rules may be viewed here.

    After the presentation of the rules, the county consultant recommended that the county adopt the rules, formally endorse a sign-up drive, start surveying and designing the system and, after six months, put the program out to bid.

    According to Commissioner Terry Garrison, incoming North Carolina Governor Beverly Purdue is assembling priorities. There was consensus among those present that if the county drags its feet on funding requests that the likelihood of receiving funds will be reduced.