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Residents press Pender County on drinking water access and mobile-home classifications
Summary
Several residents used public comment to demand county action on long-standing drinking-water problems and to raise appeals over mobile-home misclassification; speakers asked for grant-writing help, timelines for Station 9 and western Pender water projects, and refunds where classification errors have occurred.
Multiple residents spoke during public comment about water-quality and tax-assessment problems that they said have persisted for years. Regina Fennell told the board she will file an appeal arguing that double-wide mobile homes on nonpermanent piers and tie-down anchors were misclassified as real property and cited a North Carolina statute she said allows refunds for taxes overpaid as a result of misclassification. She said she will file a multi-page appeal and encouraged similarly affected homeowners to do the same.
Other residents from western Pender County — including Debbie Walker, Sheryl Highsmith and Yvonne Brathwaite — described household water they said is unfit for drinking and urged the board and staff to pursue grants, accelerate planned projects and provide clearer timelines for Station 9’s opening and for Crane/Western Pender water efforts. One speaker asked the county to write grants on a monthly basis for necessary drinking-water infrastructure. Commissioners acknowledged the complaints and asked staff to pursue alternatives and funding options.
The board did not adopt immediate policy changes during public comment but agreed to continued follow-up. Commissioners noted staff had met with constituents and that additional information and possible funding strategies would be pursued and reported back in future meetings.
