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Southern Pines Council suspends residential water shutoffs and waives late fees during federal shutdown
Summary
The town council voted in a work session to suspend residential water shutoffs during the federal government shutdown and move to eliminate a $6 residential late fee; staff will report back with fiscal analysis and implementation details.
Southern Pines — The Southern Pines Town Council voted at its Oct. 28 work session to suspend residential water-service disconnections during the federal government shutdown and to eliminate the $6 late fee on residential water bills going forward, directing staff to return with financial and operational details.
Council members said the actions aim to ease hardship for local residents who rely on federal paychecks and benefits that could be interrupted. Mayor (opening speaker) told the council a resident raised concerns that SNAP benefits will cut off on Saturday and that the town should prepare for increased food need; the council noted coordinated food-drive efforts with Trinity Church and local partners already posted to the town website and social media.
The first motion, brought to the work session by a council member who framed it as a temporary protective measure, directs staff to suspend any residential water disconnections until Jan. 1, 2026 (with council review later in January). The council moved on a separate motion to remove the $6 residential late fee effective Jan. 1, 2026, with staff asked to provide an impact analysis and a recommended implementation path. Town staff said suspending cutoffs during the shutdown was operationally feasible and that eliminating the late fee will require review to quantify budget impacts and billing-system changes.
Councilmembers repeatedly stressed the measures are intended as temporary, targeted relief tied to the federal shutdown timeframe and invited staff from the finance and water-billing departments to present numbers in a future meeting. The motions were made and carried by voice vote during the work session; staff will follow up with a written analysis and a timeline for implementation.
What happens next: Finance and water-billing staff will prepare a fiscal impact memo and a recommended ordinance or administrative rule for council consideration. The council will revisit the suspension and fee-elimination question at its January meetings if the shutdown persists.
