Annexation Information

Phase IV-B Annexation

Questions You May Have About Installation of Utility Services

Q: What area does this annexation project cover?
A: Designated areas along Hope Mills Rd., north of the Cumberland Rd. intersection,and areas along Bingham Dr. up to Bailey Lake Rd. will be annexed. Approximately 1,560 densely developed homes in this area will have sanitary sewer installed.

Q: What will it cost me?
A: Property owners pay a portion of the utility installation costs in the form of an assessment. Based on past projects, PWC estimates that the typical sanitary sewer assessment for a single-family residential property will not be less than $3,500. This amount is a combination of the main and the service lateral charge. This does not include the cost to extend the house plumbing to the sanitary sewer lateral, which is the homeowner’s responsibility. The above are estimated figures and will require City Council approval once construction is complete. These figures do not include the Facility Investment Fee (FIF), service connection fees, applicable deposits and billing for monthly utility usage.

Q: When will sewer assessments become due?
A: The assessment role will not be completed until all work in the annexation area has been completed and a public hearing is held by City Council to establish amounts and interest. It is estimated that this will occur in the summer of 2004. Once the assessment role is completed, the amount is due in 30 days, however, payment schedules up to 10 years are available.

Q: What if I already have PWC sewer?
A: There will not be any changes to your existing service and no assessment fees will be charged to you for this project.

Q: What is an assessment?
A: The assessment is the sum charged to customers to help recover a portion of the cost of main extensions and service laterals. The assessment has to be paid whether you connect to the sewer service or not. It is a lien on the property until it is paid in full.

Q: What is a sewer main?
A: The collection mains are the majority of the sanitary sewer lines installed within street right-of-ways and on easements within the service areas. The major portion of the mains are 8 inches in diameter. The sewer main charge is to help recover a portion of the utility main installation costs and is included in the assessment.

Q: What is a sewer lateral?
A: The service lateral is a 4 inch line installed from the collection main to a cleanout located at the edge of the easement or street right-of-way. The customer is responsible for continuing the service line to their house plumbing. The service lateral charge is included in the assessment.

Q: What is a Facility Investment Fee?
A: The Facility Investment Fee (FIF) is a fee imposed on new users connecting to the sewer system which represents the impact such customers have on treatment plants and other major components of utility infrastructure. For sanitary sewer, the FIF is $670. Annexed area residents who connect within 6 months of the PWC notice to connect will have this fee waived.

Q: When will I begin paying for utility usage?
A: You will be billed for your monthly utility usage within 30 days of application. For the assessment, you will be notified of the amount after final City Council approval.

Q: What if I choose not to connect to PWC sewer?
A: You do not have to connect to the PWC sewer system, however, the property owner will still be assessed for the installation of the sewer utilities and residents who make early application will have the Facility Investment Fee (FIF) waived. Applications made after the specified date (to be determined) will be responsible for paying the FIF in addition to the assessment.

Q: What are my payment options?
A: After the assessment roll is approved by the City Council, you will receive more information in a letter from PWC’s Deputy Tax Collector.

Q: Can my assessment be paid in monthly installments?
A: Yes. Payments can be added to your monthly utility bill.

Q: Are there any discounts for the elderly?
A: The City of Fayetteville offers grants for low to moderate income property owners if they meet certain criteria. Information concerning this program will be included in the information package that will be sent out.

Q: How am I billed for sewer usage?
A: Your sewer usage is based on your water usage. If you are a PWC water customer, you will be billed a $2.24 monthly facility charge and $4.03 per 1,000 gallons of water used. If you are not a PWC water customer, you will be billed a flat fee of $26.42 per month.

Q: What about my water rates, will they change?
A: If you have PWC water services, your water rates will decrease from outside city limit rates to inside city limit rates. For the first 6 MGAL used, your rate will drop from $2.23 to $1.94 per MGAL and each additional MGAL will drop from $3.14 to $2.73.

Q: Will my electric or sewer rates change?
A: There will be no change in electric rates. Sewer rates are the same inside or outside the city at $4.03 per 1,000 gallons of water used.

Q: Will my electric service change?
A: No, your electric service provider will remain the same, however, if you are a PWC customer, the $1.55 street light charge would be removed from your bill.

Q: How long before services are installed?
A: Construction began in the Queensdale and Arran Lakes area in April. Work in all other areas will begin in the next 90-120 days (after bids) and will take various times to complete. Completion of all work is scheduled for late summer/early fall of 2004.

Q: Am I required to do anything about my existing septic tank?
A: There is no current city plumbing code requirement, however, you should contact the Cumberland County Health Department about closure requirements or abandoned septic tank requirements.

Q: Can PWC recommend a plumber to do the work?
A: PWC does not recommend individual plumbers, however, we do recommend you check references, use licensed plumbers, and possibly work with your neighbors to secure what may be more competitive pricing.

Q: What is the official date the residents will be in the city?
A: June 01, 2003.

Q: What date will city trash pick up begin?
A: The effective date of either city trucks picking up trash or a contracted firm is June 02, 2003 (first work day of annexation effective date). In some areas the same contractor will continue to pick up the trash due to contracting requirements of the annexation laws. Roll out carts will be delivered to the residents beginning the week of May 19, 2003. The carts will have a package of information items from various city departments. One item in the package is a holiday schedule for garbage pickup. It should also be noted that police and fire protection begin at 12:00 midnight on May 31, 2003. All other city services are also effective at that time. Since June 01, 2003 is a weekend day, most other city services except public safety will begin on June 02, 2003.

Q: When will new city resident’s tax bill be due?
A: City property tax bills are due at the same time as county tax bills and are on the same bill. According to the Cumberland County website current year tax is due September 01, 2003 and must be paid by January 5th to avoid legal action. City of Fayetteville vehicle taxes are also due at the same time as the current county bill and vary based on registration date.

Q: Can residents have garbage cans picked up by their house by the city worker instead of having to put it by the street? If so, what are the requirements?
A: Subject to change by city council during budget review the current “back door” pickup program is two-fold. 1st – Residents can pay an annual fee (currently at $26 but subject to review and increase), 2nd – handicapped individuals that live alone or with another equally handicapped individual can submit a doctor’s note verifying their inability to handle the can. Upon approval of the submittal the City of Fayetteville will pick up the can at no charge.

For additional information, please watch for notifications through your mail delivery or for other concerns, please contact PWC Customer Service at 483-1382.