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Washington City Council approves wastewater deal with Bath, adopts hazard plan and opposes HB 765; several budget and naming measures passed
Summary
At its May 12 meeting the council approved interlocal wastewater acceptance from the Town of Bath, adopted the Pamlico Sound Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan (FEMA‑approved), adopted a water fund ordinance related to lead service line debt, approved a budget amendment for worker’s compensation reserves and named a private street Gatewood Drive; council also approved a resolution opposing NC House Bill 765.
The Washington City Council on May 12 approved a package of measures including an agreement to accept wastewater from the Town of Bath, adoption of the Pamlico Sound Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan, a Water Fund Budget Ordinance tied to lead service line inventory debt, a worker’s compensation budget amendment, and the naming of a private street.
Wastewater agreement: By motion of Councilmember Lou Hodges, seconded by Councilmember Richard Brooks, council authorized the mayor to execute an agreement with the Town of Bath to accept raw wastewater after Bath’s transmission improvements. Minutes state Bath’s existing wastewater treatment plant has experienced failures and is under a moratorium with a capacity limit of 22,000 gallons per day, reduced from a permitted 40,000 gpd; the March 2023 project is funded by the North Carolina Division of Water Infrastructure and will convey Bath’s raw wastewater to Washington for treatment. City Manager Jonathan Russell told council the construction phase was fully funded by the state and that Washington will also receive upgrades to incoming pumping stations. The motion passed on a recorded vote (Mayor Pro tem Anthony Tyre: yes; Councilmember Lou Hodges: yes; Councilmember Richard Brooks: yes; Councilmember Antwan Horton: absent; Councilmember William Pitt: yes).
Hazard mitigation plan: Council adopted a resolution approving the Pamlico Sound Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan, which FEMA reviewed and approved effective April 30, 2025 and which will remain valid through April 29, 2030. The minutes state adoption satisfies requirements under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and federal implementing regulations (44 CFR §201.6) and preserves eligibility for FEMA mitigation grants such as the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and Flood Mitigation Assistance.
Water fund and budget actions: Council adopted a Water Fund Budget Ordinance to add debt payment for the lead service line inventory and related new debt (motion by Mayor Pro tem Tyre, second by Councilmember Pitt). The council also adopted a budget ordinance amendment to appropriate fund balance in Fund 085 to cover projected reserve amounts for worker’s compensation charges as reported by the city’s third‑party administrator. The minutes list budgeted purchase orders over $50,000 reported for the month, including a $70,257 SAN replacement (The Soundside Group), a $50,000 tree‑trimming contract (John Lucas Tree Expert) and a $76,987.19 Chevrolet Silverado (Capital Chevrolet, Inc.) acquired under NC state contract.
Resolution opposing House Bill 765: Council voted to adopt a resolution opposing North Carolina House Bill 765, described in the minutes as proposed amendments to state statutes that would alter extraterritorial jurisdiction boundaries, revise annexation procedures and impose a statewide fiscal‑note requirement for local development regulations; the resolution cites concerns the bill would weaken local control and impose administrative burdens on smaller municipalities.
Private street naming: Council approved a request by Gatewood Way NC, LLC to name a proposed private street that will serve a planned apartment complex south of Clark’s Neck Road as Gatewood Drive (parcels 5676‑05‑6130 and 5676‑14‑0608).
Votes at a glance: Adopt Water Fund Budget Ordinance for lead service line debt — passed (Tyre, Hodges, Brooks, Pitt yes; Horton absent). Authorize mayor to execute wastewater agreement with Town of Bath — passed (Tyre, Hodges, Brooks, Pitt yes; Horton absent). Adopt resolution approving Pamlico Sound Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan — passed (Tyre, Hodges, Brooks, Pitt yes; Horton absent). Adopt resolution opposing House Bill 765 — passed (Tyre, Hodges, Brooks, Pitt yes; Horton absent). Adopt budget amendment for worker’s compensation reserves — passed (Tyre, Hodges, Brooks, Pitt yes; Horton absent). Approve private street name (Gatewood Drive) — passed (Hodges, Brooks, Pitt, Tyre yes; Horton absent).
The council adjourned at 6:20 p.m. and is scheduled to meet next on June 9, 2025.
