[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6699193,"mediaKeyId","2172351-964b3fe8c7ed7a4bd61e2957e3237719","parentId",2172351,"title","Council adopts new system development fees; staff recommends multi‑year water and sewer rate increases","audioSeconds",1786,"startMs",2878000,"endMs",4664000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172351-964b3fe8c7ed7a4bd61e2957e3237719&start=2878&end=4664","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172351-964b3fe8c7ed7a4bd61e2957e3237719/thumbnail_2878000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6699193/Monroe-City/Union-County/North-Carolina/Council-adopts-new-system-development-fees-staff-recommends-multiyear-water-and-sewer-rate-increases","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6699193-523015131c330be115119990679c6efd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181781&Signature=gTjYWV936KBTtbeFy7RLGWUnr2G1zxiTM1V5mBD5LN1Vll1ftjlj2BiAxyGSdh3JB5BvA3ykL5kzEikZE~80PeByI5JkcvUlMAeZrBFOCuQZxSGYY5~bi7o2m~wWMNqlCF8CVsVTiZZ0vGGEq5RmdvqEVg~NCXAL6HBaJnZfPVTwGJTn3S76aoOUYftpnHZS5ysVEeNbhsJ3inehMj00A2Gna8DTcG3rYw1~96NUZv1Gv~cREj9MgYlVXz9QyyyL0tDrwspo1y1kaw5~5QLkgCiMucwn8vhCzyiTeB-6WR0LeV2ZpfTzh8VkouCF77xPqigstfhcM7EnUoy3XcIXug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Monroe","date","2025-01-01T05:32:51.933Z","article","Monroe City Council on Dec. 10 adopted an ordinance to update the city’s water and sewer system development fee schedule, effective Jan. 1, 2025, following a presentation from retained consultants and a public hearing.

Scott Clark introduced a financial study performed by Raftelis Consultants and said the system development fee schedules were posted on the city website on Oct. 23, 2024, as required by North Carolina law. \"North Carolina law requires that the system development fee is posted at least 45 days prior to the public hearing. It has been posted on our website since October, 23rd, 2024,\" Clark said.

Melissa LeBan of Raftelis presented a financial forecast and recommended rate structure. She said projected capital costs for the wastewater treatment plant had been revised downward from earlier estimates and that, for the capital plan now estimated at about $132.8 million, the consultant recommends a minimum set of rate increases to support the financing. \"Right now, what we're looking at the further first 3 years are 5.5 percent each year,\" LeBan said, noting the city would target a 1.5 debt service coverage ratio and aim to maintain about 365 days cash on hand.

LeBan also described a proposed residential three‑tier volumetric rate and that irrigation customers would pay the highest tier. She summarized sample bills and said about 67.1% of residential customers use 5,000 gallons or less, meaning most customers would see increases smaller than the maximum tiers.

Council members discussed how system development fees and rate increases relate to financing the planned wastewater treatment plant and clarified that revenue bonds, not property taxes, would fund the debt. City staff said system development fees must be used for capital projects in the utility basins where they are collected and commonly finance water‑ or sewer‑specific infrastructure.

Councilmember Anthony moved to adopt an ordinance submitting the fee schedule for water and sewer system development fee increases effective Jan. 1, 2025; the motion was seconded and passed. Staff recommended implementing the proposed rate structure beginning July 1, 2025, as part of the fiscal year budget process. The council was also asked to consider including written language that would allow the city to impose additional fees or adjustments for meter sizes or industrial customers whose flows or discharges exceed anticipated volumes; staff recommended reviewing comparable municipal triggers before setting a numerical threshold.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular Meeting of December 10, 2024","oneSentenceSummary","Monroe City Council adopted an ordinance updating water and sewer system development fees to take effect Jan. 1, 2025, and received a consultant presentation recommending multi‑year rate increases tied to a wastewater treatment plant expansion and capital plan.","taxTitle","Monroe City, Union County, North Carolina","taxId",55173,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6699198,"City council approves rezoning at 2329 Concord Highway for land‑surveying office",500,2357000,2857000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172351-964b3fe8c7ed7a4bd61e2957e3237719&start=2357&end=2857","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172351-964b3fe8c7ed7a4bd61e2957e3237719/thumbnail_2357000.jpg","/articles/6699198/Monroe-City/Union-County/North-Carolina/City-council-approves-rezoning-at-2329-Concord-Highway-for-landsurveying-office","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6699198-21d3950b5289e12a83a6d1fc72a7641b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181781&Signature=eCmlqZglA~b9MOasv7uR4QVkbTEWY9hrtoZUC5kVVCaOKmhUSN~qzgaIqLwsQ3ThQx0O90CB8eeBuqylbkTX5bOffnuZFrH00ytCtJYinoD6ECU2kYG8398JTUfqNnO1EWoySuJyCIccHJUKSX8tn0m8QWYtjEahBe7PDlknbmKQ-HnKnFcv8ILNNG4CfKQmmMLaAeb8kF3sjdd-XBDMyHY~tB1-iMpNxJzvY3DABHu2Y1SYym6~mqnLN8yTHbCvHkVPwKn2jDEv1DqGwR4ODq29ab9SLNUM2-bXfmH60yDmP-N9sJWPknT6oMj4n9i6BtJBFY91VqTBCNjWA0uaTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monroe City Council on Dec. 10 approved a conditional rezoning for property at 2329 Concord Highway, clearing the way for a land surveying office at the site.

The rezoning changes the parcel from Residential Low Density to Conditional District Commercial. Megan Breithart of the planning department told the council the property is currently developed with one single‑family home and that the applicant proposes to reuse the existing structure for a land surveyor's office. Planning staff recommended approval and the planning board recommended approval by a 6–1 vote.

\"The applicant is requesting a conditional rezoning for the subject property from residential low density to conditional commercial,\" Megan Breithart, planning department, said during the public hearing. She also said the conditional notes include neighborhood business uses, a 22.5‑foot buffer to meet Type 1 buffer requirements and an optional 6‑foot privacy fence.

Applicants who spoke at the public hearing said the site fits their business needs. \"We desire to operate our land surveying business, Cornerstone Professional Land Surveying, from this location and feel that this property is a beneficial site due to its proximity to city offices such as the register of deeds, both city and county planning departments, and other governmental agencies,\" said Andrew (Andy) Baker, identifying himself as the applicant and connected to Cornerstone Acquisitions LLC. Nathan DeBose, another applicant, said central access to the Monroe bypass and Interstate 485 and proximity to employees motivated the request.

Council members asked procedural questions during the hearing. One council member asked whether the property had already been purchased; Breithart said the purchase was not finalized and remained contingent on the rezoning. The council then moved and seconded a resolution finding the change consistent with the land‑use plan and adopted an ordinance amending the official zoning map.

The conditional rezoning allows neighborhood business uses with the buffering and privacy‑fence note included in the application. The planning department reported 17 adjacent properties were notified and that no responses were received during the 10‑day notice period required before the public hearing.

The council's action updates the official zoning map. The applicants and planning staff said site purchase and any building or tenant improvements remain subject to applicable permitting and inspections.","Monroe City Council approved a conditional rezoning for 2329 Concord Highway to allow a land surveyor's office, following a planning department recommendation and public hearing in which the applicants described the site's proximity to local government offices and road access.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6699185,"Councilman urges Monroe to form committee on gun violence after recent death",258,6800000,7058000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172351-964b3fe8c7ed7a4bd61e2957e3237719&start=6800&end=7058","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172351-964b3fe8c7ed7a4bd61e2957e3237719/thumbnail_6800000.jpg","/articles/6699185/Monroe-City/Union-County/North-Carolina/Councilman-urges-Monroe-to-form-committee-on-gun-violence-after-recent-death","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6699185-1143b49a6d064ccf027ce6418194c8c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181781&Signature=YOHlBPKdVwwC0qosAAVK6to0KiqZ-9qZ79obz7DjMReyyQpIoFJpIv9daDGulAzdsSJ~q4f8DlgQuhWE~KNNvhxOE7SQr0blNiqNK3B7E3Ft~Fzre2Uh5lJeD1bdnGk29TDkLNsFJPzmke8IDPqwlT8191MdOB4NRYtsIH5rSGy5YCVYSa0Y3mN7IL9hOXmCh6lTQYWNDugvspv4WFG3n8FuRJWlN5eoJUlj8LbrM4DODQHI5AsqWPUJV2k2k4wYivaEUIk9LbS7cBEMnQBKc9XVEmqQgFUIh0vYeoXThNLArx6f5A-bgjd0uSQHTmGXqoHFDqiIIgXY93sZ-IUnRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the end of the Dec. 10 meeting, Councilman McGee urged the Monroe City Council to take immediate steps to address gun violence and to form a dedicated committee that includes community members.

\"My heart is heavy tonight as we mourn yet another life lost to gun violence in our city,\" Councilman McGee said. He described gun violence as \"a public health crisis\" for Monroe and said the city must prioritize implementation of programs for de‑escalation, conflict resolution and violence prevention.

McGee asked the council to establish a committee with community participation to develop programs and policies aimed at violence prevention. \"This committee must include community voices, fostering collaboration, and input to develop programs that address violence, prevention, de‑escalation, and conflict resolution,\" he said.

Mayor Burns and other council members acknowledged the concern and said public safety affects investment and quality of life across the city. The mayor said the issue \"is our duty and it is our responsibility to do something\" and called for broad community effort, not only action by the council.

No formal committee was created during the meeting; McGee's remarks were a public call for action and discussion going forward.","Councilman McGee asked the Monroe City Council to establish a committee including community voices to address gun violence, calling it a public‑health crisis; the mayor and other members echoed calls for action and community collaboration.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6699189,"Monroe honors electric, fire and police crews for Hurricane Helene mutual aid",137,222000,359000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172351-964b3fe8c7ed7a4bd61e2957e3237719&start=222&end=359","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172351-964b3fe8c7ed7a4bd61e2957e3237719/thumbnail_222000.jpg","/articles/6699189/Monroe-City/Union-County/North-Carolina/Monroe-honors-electric-fire-and-police-crews-for-Hurricane-Helene-mutual-aid","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6699189-b9ea3af40b28f641bcf53df712d4e6a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181782&Signature=bJz92bnY8Wu809-NSk~SnTj~ECqT8rT2JGPyWPTMPUDV-60ACOSKgIkZT6LO1yU1xDnQX77malttSkXzm5XOl1pTyrZShjQFFBjjqkjLppjyxaMLZ~WY4onRAbwg0QYHInETMffIYh~rd7mv05A7NH~gCQU-QnGZfvON8rdMW8NrVUcs5m4zJ8LO~mG0i06axk0mfO~686ul9v9wdDuETMVyPKTfudpf7-v5kdNxkTM2qWsAq3VcxfhjPum2yQ2FwchwB81IQK5Dg~dE5SW1yKCnei4ZRlSRLd-xXrGSQpeTQE4vRiJZv-8I89cs8XRZ~6Wo1U84qa2m~5hZDE3O~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monroe City Council on Dec. 10 recognized city electric, fire and police personnel who deployed to other jurisdictions to aid recovery after Hurricane Helene.

Rob Miller introduced the city’s electric division and named multiple line crews that traveled to Greenwood, Newberry and Prosperity, S.C., to help restore power to thousands of customers. The town of Prosperity traveled to Monroe to present a plaque and to thank the Monroe crews in person.

\"With great appreciation to the City of Monroe Energy Services Department for your unselfish dedication to restoring electrical power to the citizens and businesses of the town of Prosperity following the devastation of Hurricane Helene,\" Prosperity Mayor Derek Underwood read from a plaque presented to the city. He told council the Monroe crews \"came immediately\" and were \"true ambassadors of the city of Monroe.\"

Chief Ron Fowler recognized two swift‑water rescue teams from Monroe Fire Department that deployed to western North Carolina. Fowler listed the members of both teams and said the teams performed water rescues, evacuated 85 people from a mobile home park by boat and carried out damage assessment and general fire protection duties.

Chief Brian Gilliard introduced police officers who volunteered for mutual aid deployments to areas affected by the tropical storm on the coast and the mountain flooding. Gilliard said 21 officers deployed at various times over a month to assist communities including Southport and mountain counties.

Council and staff thanked the public‑safety and utility workers for their service and for forging relationships with agencies in affected communities during the response.","Monroe recognized utility, fire and police personnel who deployed to other North Carolina and South Carolina communities after Hurricane Helene; the town of Prosperity presented a plaque to Monroe crews.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts new system development fees; staff recommends multi‑year water and sewer rate increases

City council approves rezoning at 2329 Concord Highway for land‑surveying office

Councilman urges Monroe to form committee on gun violence after recent death

Monroe honors electric, fire and police crews for Hurricane Helene mutual aid