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Council reverses utility assessment for Tayberry Court property after resident paid earlier connection fee
Summary
The council approved an appeal reversing a sewer/wastewater assessment on a Tayberry Court property where the owner previously paid to connect to water. Council voted to reverse (refund) the assessment for the assessed amount difference, citing extraordinary circumstances.
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Fayetteville City Council voted April 28 to honor an appeal and reverse a wastewater assessment applied to a property on Tayberry Court after the owner showed he had earlier paid to connect to water.
Councilmember Thompson described the case as an equity issue: the homeowner paid more than $3,000 in 2010 to secure a water connection and subsequently received an additional assessment (roughly $5,000) tied to a phase of annexation infrastructure funding. Thompson asked that the council relieve the property owner of the second charge and instead only collect the net difference if any; council approved a motion to reverse the assessment and to refund amounts already paid as needed.
PwC (Public Works Commission) counsel explained that assessments are made by the city under the annexation funding agreement and that PWC implements connections and bills customers; the legal authority to levy or reverse the assessment rests with the city. Council’s action reverses the assessment in this individual case; the vote was carried by the council with one dissent (Councilmember Banks McLaughlin opposed).
Why it matters: The annexation funding agreements set caps on property owner assessments for utility connections; during implementation, questions arise when residents pay directly for service prior to city assessments. Council’s decision addresses one resident’s documented payment history and directs staff to reverse or refund the assessment rather than require double payment.
Next steps: City staff will process the reversal and any refunds necessary, and staff signaled intent to continue operating a utility‑assessment assistance program for qualifying residents who need help covering connection costs.
Quote: “This assessment is not on PwC. This assessment is on the city that should be paying the difference of what he paid to get connected to water,” — Councilmember Thompson.
Ending: Council approved the appeal; staff will follow up to implement the reversal and process any refunds.
