Yanceyville continues suspension of water and sewer shutoffs, directs staff to draft customer payment plan

The Town of Yanceyville Town Council voted unanimously May 12 to continue suspending water and sewer service terminations during the COVID-19 state of emergency and directed staff to draft an amendment to the cut-off policy that will include customer payment-plan options.

Town Manager Brian Collie told council the April cut-off listing included 45 customers, 16 of whom were recurring from the previous month. "I recommend that the Town not suspend/terminate water and sewer services until the policy is rescinded," Collie said, and asked council to give staff direction to create a payment-plan amendment for when the suspension ends. He noted the bill will still be due once the suspension is rescinded.

Mayor Alvin Foster moved to continue the suspension and to authorize staff to prepare the amendment; Councilman Keith Tatum seconded the motion, and the measure passed by a unanimous vote of the five council members present (Mayor Alvin Foster; Mayor Pro Tem Odessa Gwynn; Councilmembers Brian Massey, Margie Badgett-Lampkin and Keith Tatum).

Collie said the current policy contains a payment-outline that applies to leak adjustments over $500 but does not provide a broad payment-plan framework for pandemic-related arrearages; the council's direction was to draft a broader amendment that would be reviewed at a later meeting. The amendment will specify payment options and be in effect until council rescinds the suspension.

Next steps: staff will draft the proposed amendment and return it to council for consideration, with the intent of presenting the budget message and any related ordinance changes at the June meeting.