Millville work session advances second readings to add solid‑waste late fees and senior deduction

Millville City commissioners discussed two ordinances at second reading on Jan. 30 that would change residential solid‑waste billing: one to add late fees and another to create a deduction for seniors and disabled residents who meet property‑tax relief criteria.

At the work session, Commissioner Casa Boone described the late fee proposal: “We're gonna be assessing this $10 fee for each quarter,” she said, noting the measure is intended to address nearly 1,000 delinquent accounts that had accumulated unpaid service charges. The ordinance was presented as a second reading; commissioners treated the session as a discussion and did not take a final vote during the work session.

The second ordinance would create a deduction for senior and disabled homeowners who already qualify for a property‑tax deduction. Speakers linked eligibility to the state property‑tax deduction criteria but cited different income thresholds during discussion: one speaker said the threshold was “under $10,000 outside of your Social Security,” and another referenced a figure of $6,500. Commissioners agreed the deduction would be tied to the property‑tax qualification and that staff will confirm the exact eligibility formula and amounts before any final vote.

Vice Mayor Cott noted the municipal code will treat the benefit as a narrow, qualifications‑based deduction; staff said the ordinance is intended to ensure the municipal charge aligns with existing tax relief programs. The work session also included a separate first reading to add several part‑time positions and raise pay caps for hard‑to‑fill code and subcode official posts.

No final adoption was recorded during the work session; commissioners said they would return the ordinances to the public agenda for formal action only after staff verifies eligibility details and the final language.