Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/495553
6 APRIL 15-21, 2015 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM On March 31, House Bill 392, A Bill To Be Entitled "An Act Amending The Charter Of The City Of Fayetteville To Make Changes Related To The Membership And Operation Of The Public Works Commission," was filed in the North Carolina House by the members of the Cumberland County delegation to the General Assembly, including Representatives Szoka, Floyd, Glazier and Lucas, who were the primary sponsors. The bill is now in committee. The legislative action was taken after the City of Fayetteville and its public utility PWC, failed to reach an agreement in mediation. The main sticking point between the city and the utility revolved around fiscal control over the facility. Under the new legislation, the city would maintain the ability to ap- point commissioners to the PWC board, but would not have the ability to control PWC funds or take funds from the utility for use on other city projects or initiatives. The new legislation offers the following protection to the utility's coffers: "§ 6A.12. Budget. The Commission is a public authority as defined in G.S. 159-7(10) and therefore shall prepare a budget as provided in Article 3 of Subchapter III of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes and shall publish the budget in the manner provided for in G.S. 159-12. "§ 6A.13. Records and accounts. The Commission shall keep full and accurate minutes of all official meetings held as provided in G.S. 143-318.10 and shall exercise fiscal control related to all matters, including establishing and maintaining an accounting system and designating an official depository as provided in Part 3 of Article 3 of Subchapter III of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes. "§ 6A.14. Receipts and disbursements. All funds handled by the Commission shall be paid over to the treasurer thereof, and all disbursements by the Commission shall only be made by order upon the treasurer, signed by the secretary, and countersigned by the chair thereof. All orders shall state for what object the same is drawn, and a record shall be kept of all such orders. "§ 6A.15. Cash reserves. In each fiscal year, the Commission shall maintain in the Electric Fund, the Water/Wastewater Fund, and any other utility fund established pursuant to this Chapter, sufficient cash reserves to cover not less than 90 days' operating expenses, capital outlay, and debt service on outstanding revenue bonds or notes, as shown by the budget ordinance, but shall set a target for cash reserves to cover not less than 120 days. "§ 6A.16. Remittances to City. Beginning July 1, 2015, the Commission shall, within 45 days of the financial close of each month, remit to the City of Fayetteville five percent of the gross retail sales, less any taxes, of all utility services, except water and sewer services, provided to residential, commercial and industrial customers of the Commission. There shall be no additional cash contributions or transfers from the Commission to the City unless the following conditions are met: (i) the Mayor declares a state of emergency under the authority granted in G.S. 160A-19.22(a); and (ii) the Commission and City Council agree on the amount of the cash contribution or transfer. No transfer of funds from the Commission to the City shall exceed the amount authorized in G.S. 159-13(14). "§ 6A.17. Audit of books; access to financial records. At the end of each fiscal year, the books, accounts, and records of the Commission shall be audited by a certified public accountant or an accountant certified by the Local Government Commission as provided in G.S. 159-34. The City Council shall select the auditor, and the auditor shall report directly to the City Council. Upon giving reasonable notice, the City Council shall have full access to the books, accounts, and records of the Commission. Readers just like you adopt a Duck for just $5. Each adoption has a registration number tagged to a duck. e adopted ducks will race down Festival Creek at Festival Park to the nish line. e rst duck across the line wins a courtesy of Camping World of Fayetteville, NC. Kidsville News! and Truman the Dragon are getting their Ducks in a row in support of the Fayetteville Urban Ministry duck adoptions. Adoption is easy. Log onto www.FayettevilleDuckDerby.com, click on Teams and adopt your duck! A portion of the proceeds will benet the Kidsville News Literacy &Educational Foundation. Race to be held on Sunday, April 26 th during the Dogwood Festival at Festival Park in Fayetteville. * Must be 18 years or older to win.