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Selma council delays vote after heated debate over sewer-rate increase tied to county charge
Summary
Councilors debated a required 10% charge from Johnston County that would be passed through to Selma customers; concerns about compounding increases and alternatives led the council to table the rate change for further study.
Councilors on Aug. 6 engaged in an extended discussion about a proposed sewer-rate change after staff said Johnston County will increase the wastewater processing charge by 10 percent. Town staff described the county charge as mandatory for treatment of Selma's wastewater and noted the council faces timing constraints ahead of an October/November billing cycle.
Members raised concerns about the long-term effect if similar percentage increases compound over several years. "That's $5 a month is becoming a serious conversation for everybody," one council member said, citing the projected impact on a typical household. After debate about whether the town could cover the increase from general funds or whether it must remain in the enterprise fund, a motion to table the proposed fee change for further review passed by voice vote; council agreed to revisit the issue on Tuesday.
