Goldsboro council suspends residential water shutoffs, waives late fees during federal shutdown

The Goldsboro City Council voted unanimously on Nov. 3 to impose a temporary moratorium on residential water shutoffs tied to the federal government shutdown and to waive late fees for the duration of the moratorium.

City Manager Octavius Murphy told the council staff could implement a policy change immediately and then return a formal resolution for adoption at the next meeting. “If tonight you would vote on it as a group, and then let me come back with a resolution,” Murphy said, explaining how staff would implement the change and notify customers. Council agreed and voted to begin the moratorium at midnight Nov. 3.

Under the action, the moratorium runs through 14 days past the official end of the federal shutdown; the council also directed staff to offer extended payment plans for past‑due balances, adding three months to the city’s existing payment‑plan terms. Utility staff said collections and meter reading will continue—this is a temporary halt to cutoffs, not a suspension of billing.

Utility staff cautioned the council about the post‑shutdown billing burden and asked for direction on payment terms. Staff said many customers who entered payment plans after the COVID era ultimately paid off balances, and that a temporary extension and suspension of penalties would give households breathing room without canceling bills indefinitely. “If you want to impose…no penalties, no cutoff fees, and let's say up to a 6‑month payment plan,” staff said as options to consider; the council approved a three‑month extension beyond current policy.

Council members stressed the policy should be clear, time‑limited and paired with customer outreach. Councilmember [name withheld in transcript] recommended tying the moratorium to the shutdown timeline rather than a hard calendar date so staff would not need repeated council action if the shutdown duration changed. The council directed staff to return a formal resolution reflecting the motion.

The vote followed public comment during which speakers urged local protections for residents facing benefit and income interruptions. Staff said about 150–250 customers weekly are typically on the city’s cutoff lists; council supporters said the pause will protect households during federal benefit disruptions while the city balances long‑term fiscal responsibilities.

The council’s action waives late fees during the moratorium, offers a multi‑month payment plan option, and authorizes staff to implement the operational steps immediately while preparing an official, retroactive resolution for the council’s next meeting.