Council passes budget, votes to approve $50,000 for CFPUA

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WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – Wilmington City Council met tonight to discuss several important issues and hear from citizens on a proposed zoning change that would pave the way for a new office building near Shipyard Boulevard and Independence.

City Budget

Council voted to approve its budget for next fiscal year, which begins in July. The city boasts that the budget does not call for a property tax increase or layoffs. No furloughs or pay cuts are included for employees, benefit cuts for staff will remain in effect.

However, citizens will see two rate increases in the budget, including an 8.5 percent stormwater rate increase, which equals 45 cents a month for the average homeowner (from $5.30 to $5.75 per month).

There is also an increase in garbage collection fees to offset a rate hike at the county landfill. Customers with larger garbage cans will see a 40-cent a month increase and small cans will see a 15-cent a month increase, amounting to an annual increase of $4.80 and $1.80 respectively, according to the city.

Appropriate of $50,000 to CFPUA

The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority asked the city for $50,000 to pay a collection agency to go after late customers.

It was a request that originally upset council members when it was first proposed at the end of 2010.

However, tonight, we found out that the city won't actually foot the bill for the collection agency.

Councilman Ron Sparks is on the utility's board.

He explained that the measure just authorizes CFPUA to move forward with collections.

The money CFPUA gets from delinquencies will pay for the collections efforts.

Sparks says the utility is going after about $1.5 million in unpaid bills and they only have three years to go after those who owe them money.

Council voted unanimously to approve the move.

Rezoning 3907 Shipyard Boulevard

Council heard from developers and concerned neighbors about a plan to rezone an area near 3907 Shipyard Boulevard.

Live Oak Bank wants the area to be rezoned from residential to office and institutional, so the company can build an office on the site.

Neighbors expressed concerns from council on the drainage issues.

However, the potential to bring high-paying jobs to the area seemed to outweigh those concerns.

Live Oak's CEO told council the company plans to expand by at least 20 jobs with the building of its 50 acre office park on the property. He said the average pay for those at the Wilmington office, which already employs 40 people in Wilmington, is $120,000.

Council passed the zoning change on a first reading. However, Councilwoman Laura Padgett said she wants to hear more from the city's Stormwater Department regarding neighbors concerns over drainage.