| All
Department Frequently Asked Questions |
| Public
Services Department |
|
Why does my water look like
milk?
When there is a water main
line break or a need to shut one off for a repair,
air will get into the line. When air and water mix,
the combination resembles milk. |
|
Why has
my water bill increased?
Perhaps a leak has occurred
on the customer’s side or a simple miss-read
of the meter that month.
|
|
Why do I have low water pressure?
The water meters have screens.
Sometimes sediment will clog the screen as well
as the screen on the faucets in the home. |
|
Why
is my water discolored?
Sediment and iron
are found in water and when fire hydrants have to
be flushed or a line repaired; the water is stirred
up. The water may be discolored but is safe to drink.
|
|
Why is my water and sewer
bill going up?
Water and sewer rates increase
to help pay for line upgrades, which is beneficial
to all citizens within the city limits. |
|
Why
doesn’t the City pick-up carpet or construction
debris?
Building rubbish (from construction,
remodeling, and repair operations on houses, commercial
buildings and other structures) shall be collected,
removed and disposed of by the contractor or builder
or by the owner of the property. |
|
Why weren’t my
limbs picked up?
No tree limbs, shrubs
or other material shall be mixed with the leaves.
Leaves must be placed at curbside so the collector
may reach them. Do not place leaves in ditches.
Due to equipment limitations, leaves should be placed
near the street. If the ditch is too far away from
the pavement, the vacuum hose may not reach the
leaves. |
|
Why
weren’t my leaves picked up?
No tree limbs, shrubs
or other material shall be mixed with the leaves.
Leaves must be placed at curbside so the collector
may reach them. Do not place leaves in ditches.
Due to equipment limitations, leaves should be placed
near the street. If the ditch is too far away from
the pavement, the vacuum hose may not reach the
leaves. |
|
Why hasn’t my
dumpster box been dumped?
Dumpsters must not
be blocked by vehicles. Perhaps the dumpster was
blocked at the time of pickup. Call Clearing House
at 599-5658 for assistance. |
Why was
my garbage not picked up?
All rollout carts must be
on the road by 6:00 a.m. If it is late, you may
have missed the scheduled pickup. |
How do I dispose of old washers,
dryers, refrigerators and hot water heaters?
Put them out by the curb
and call Clearing House at 599-5658.
Refrigerator doors need
to be removed and turned face down. |
| |
| Fire Department |
|
What does ISO stand for?
It stands for Insurance Services
Office. The ISO sets the ratings that determine
what your fire insurance (homeowners) will be. |
|
Why are
the firefighters driving the fire truck to do other
activities?
All firefighters assigned
to a shift, are required to stay together as an
engine company and be ready to respond to an emergency
at all times. Driving the fire truck to the gym,
inspections, etc. they can respond from any location
to an emergency. |
|
What do the daily activities
of firefighters include?
The day starts at 8:00 a.m.,
they check the trucks to insure that all equipment
is in place and working properly. They then go for
physical fitness that is required one hour per day.
After completing physical fitness, they conduct
inspections, or re-inspections of businesses, or
conduct public education classes. During the day
they are required to complete a minimum of two hours
of training per man. After 5:30 p.m., they are allowed
down time for study or just relaxing.
|
|
What are
the education requirements to be a firefighter?
Within one year of employment,
each firefighter is required to become a North Carolina
Level II firefighter, Emergency Medical Tech., Hazardous
Materials Level I, and Fire Inspector I. All firefighters
are encouraged to attend Durham Technical Community
College to complete the Fire Protection Technology
program. |
| |
| Police Department |
|
How do I get in touch with
the Animal Control Officer?
If there is an animal problem,
the police department will dispatch the Animal Control
Officer. |
Where can
I obtain a copy of a criminal history?
Clerk of Court’s office
on the main floor of the Person County Courthouse.
|
| |
| Purchasing
Department |
|
How can I be
placed on the City’s bid list or be considered
a vendor?
Mail your company’s
information and what products you would like to
have considered to: City of Roxboro, PO Box 128,
Attn: Purchasing Roxboro, NC 27573
Include product material, contacts and business
card. You will be contacted when the City seeks
pricing or goes out to bid. |
|
How does
the City purchase needed supplies and equipment?
The City purchases off State
Contract and local vendors if possible. We frequently
check pricing with all of our vendors to ensure
we are getting the best value possible. |
|
How does the City establish
new vendor accounts?
The City completes
a new vendor sheet for all new vendors and sends
to the new vendor our standard credit letter. If
additional information is required, the Finance
Department has to be notified. |
| |
| Human
Resources Department |
|
What
are the job openings with the City?
The open positions are advertised
in the Courier-Times, the Employment Security Commission
and the City of Roxboro Website. They are also posted
on the Employment Board in City Hall. |
|
Where can I pick up an employment
application?
They can be picked up at
City Hall, either at the front office, the Administrative
Assistant’s office or the Human Resources Dept.
office. Completed applications are kept on file
for two years |
|
How do
I know the closing dates for positions and what
is the time frame for selecting candidates?
Closing dates are listed
on the job advertisements; however, some positions
are open until filled. Within two weeks of the closing
date, the Human Resources Manager notifies applicants
by mail if they are not selected for an interview.
|
|
What benefits
does the City offer?
Retirement with the Local
Government Retirement System, vacation and sick
leave, insurance that is currently paid at 100%
for family coverage which includes medical, vision
and prescription benefits. Dental insurance is available
at a cost to the employee. Also offered are eleven
paid holidays. Benefits are discussed in greater
detail once an applicant is hired.
|
| |
| Planning &
Development Department |
Who do
I contact regarding my neighbor’s trash/junk
in the yard and the grass too tall?
Contact the Planning and
Development Department at City Hall. They will investigate
the conditions and when necessary, take steps to
ensure the neighbor is complying with the City’s
Code of Ordinances. |
I would like to add
1000 feet to my business, what are my options?
The Planning and Development
staff will discuss/review the applicable development
ordinances and options that apply to your circumstance.
|
|
Who do
I contact to obtain an electrical permit?
Contact
the Person County Inspections Department at Morgan
Street. The County issues all building, electrical,
plumbing, and mechanical permits. They also inspect
all related work within the City. |
Do I need
a permit to build a garage or storage shed?
Yes, when a building/structure
is built, extended, moved or altered.
|
|
Who assigns
street addresses in the City?
The Planning and Development
Department unless otherwise indicated by staff (i.e.
Person County Emergency Management Services assigns
the newly annexed addresses.) |
| |
| Finance Department |
|
What do
I need to do to have my water and sewer services
turned on?
The City of Roxboro requires
a $15.00 set-up fee and a deposit to turn on water
and sewer services. The amount of the required deposit
is listed below: The exact deposit is determined
by a credit check.
| Inside
City Limits |
Outside
City Limits |
| Residential $50.00
|
$100.00 |
| Commercial $50.00 |
$100.00 |
| Industrial $1,000.00
|
$1,000.00 |
|
|
What information should I bring to City Hall
to have my service turned on?
Name services to be
listed in.
Driver's License, or a Identification Card, copy
will be made.
Social Security card or document with number,
copy will be made.
If you own your home, copy of the deed or other
proof of ownership.
If you rent, a signed copy of your lease agreement.
Current address where service is to be turned
on.
Mailing address, if different from service address.
Current contact telephone number.
A credit check will be run from the above
information to determine the amount of deposit
required.
|
|
Will I ever get my deposit
back?
Yes. If all water bills are
paid on time for a period of 12 months, the City
will credit the amount of the deposit to your account.
If you move or have your water service turned off,
the City will apply your deposit to your final water
bill. Any amount in excess of the final bill, will
be refunded to the customer. The $15.00 set up fee
is not refundable. |
|
When
are water and sewer bills due?
All water, sewer and
garbage bills are due on or before the 5th day of
each month. Water bills are mailed on the 20th day
of the previous month. A grace period of ten days
is allowed, until the 15th day of each month, for
customers to pay water bills without any penalty.
However, you must pay on the 15th to avoid any late
charges. On the 16th day of each month the City
add a late payment and reconnection charge to each
past due account. However, the late charge is waived
one time if all bills have been paid on time for
the previous 12 months. Water service is then disconnected
for all past due accounts. |
|
How much is the late payment
charge?
For water bills under $500,
the late fee is $25.00. For water bills over $500,
the late fee is 5 percent of the outstanding balance.
If water service is disconnected, the water bill
must be paid in full including the applicable late
payment charges. If paid by 12:00 noon, water service
can be reconnected the same day. |
|
Where
do I pay my water bill?
Customers may pay
water bills in person at the Roxboro Municipal Building
located at 105 South Lamar Street in Roxboro between
8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The
City also provides a night deposit box at this location,
for customers who cannot come during regular business
hours. The night deposit box is located at the drive-in
window. |
|
What is a privilege
license and does my business have to purchase one?
North Carolina General
Statutes allow municipalities to charge commercial
businesses and industries a license fee for the
privilege of operating a business inside the City
limits. The license fees must be reasonable in amount
and in many cases cannot exceed limits set by the
State Statute. A privilege license is required for
all businesses that operate or provide goods and
services within the City limits. Your business is
exempt by the State Statutes if it requires a professional
license from the State of North Carolina, i.e. doctors,
lawyers, certified public accountants.
|
|
How
much is the fee for privilege licenses?
The amount of the
license fee varies depending upon the type of business.
A schedule of privilege license fees is attached
to each application. The license covers the period
of July 1st through June 30th with the exception
of beer and wine licenses, which covers May 1st
through April 30th.
|
|
My business is seasonal
and only operates for part of the year. Do I have
to pay for a license for the entire year?
No. A business that
is seasonal by nature can buy a privilege license
for one-half of the normal fee. A business is seasonal
by nature if it can only operate for less than six
months during the year. An example is the sale of
Christmas trees and ornaments, which can only operate
during Christmas. A business that simply chooses
to operate for less than 6 months is not considered
to be seasonal by nature. |
