Rocky Mount city council rejects utility shutoff moratorium
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- Rocky Mount city council members voted against a proposed temporary moratorium on utility disconnections after residents voiced concerns about the city's billing practices and the deaths of three members of the Swann family.
During a council meeting, dozens of residents expressed frustration about how utilities and billing have been handled in the city. Several speakers said the deaths of the Swann family could have been prevented.
"If we have reached a point where collection of debt takes precedence over the preservation of a human life, then we have surrendered our claim to be a civilized community," one resident said during public comments.
Residents urged city leaders not to lose sight of the family's loss.
"And I don't want the city to lose focus on the family itself, that they have lost loved ones and never see them smile again and never see them here again on this side. So I want us to make sure that we don't lose focus on them," Rocky Mount resident Antoinette Cutler said.
Relatives of the Swann family said the family had tried to make a partial payment on a $2,000 utility bill. Under city policy, accounts must be paid in full to avoid remaining disconnected.
The discussion also centered on billing issues that were cited in a state auditor's report.
Resident Sheila Scarborough said she encountered difficulties when attempting to arrange a payment plan.
"The city manager said if you have any problems, man, come down and do a payment plan, OK? So I go down to do a payment plan, and the lady tells me unless I get $1,100, they're going to cut my lights off," Scarborough said.
Scarborough, a veteran, said her power remains disconnected and that she has struggled to find a way to pay the bill.
"Heat when the first three nights, I stayed in my car, I stayed at my residence. But because car got air conditioning, you know, I slept in my car. And then my stepmother who lives in Tarboro told me I could stay with her," she said.
Mayor Sandy Roberson said hundreds of homes have been disconnected and noted that some residents accumulated large unpaid balances.
"Folks now have some large bills; they receive bills every single month and for whatever reason didn't pay, and so we now have a list of somewhere around 300 folks," Roberson said.
As city leaders consider possible changes that could provide more flexibility in payment plans, council members voted down the proposed moratorium on utility disconnections. Responding to concerns raised by residents, Roberson defended the city's policies.
"Our policies have been well written, well publicized; they have been out there for a number of years, and I think points were made tonight in a robust discussion, and I stand by council's decision," he said.
Roberson said the city manager is reviewing the payment plan policy. He also said the issue could be discussed again during a special called meeting later in the week.
