Valdese considers helping with bills

By: Sharon McBrayer | Morganton News Herald
Published: July 05, 2009

Valdese --

Officials in the town of Valdese are looking into whether they can help the neediest residents pay some of their bills.
Valdese Town Council Member Keith Ogle asked during comments from the board if the town could give funds to help offset the cost of water and sewer bills to those in need.
He suggested social services as the agency that could help distribute the funds. Ogle said social services would know those who need the help the most.
Town Manager Jeff Morse said other towns have set up emergency relief funds for residents who may need help with utility funds.
On Tuesday, Morse said the fund would be for residents who have had a catastrophic event, such as losing a job or losing a wage earner, or can demonstrate need.
Mayor Jim Hatley said during the meeting that a relief fund would be a great thing to do if the town can do it legally.
The money for the relief fund would come from the town's utility fund, say town officials.
Morse told the council that the relief fund won't work unless a third party, who knows of those really in need, handles it. He said other towns have used social services to administer relief funds.
The newest council member, Gary Delp, asked if people could give to the fund. Hatley told him yes.
Morse asked the council for 30 days to look into the legalities of such a fund and for an agency in the county that would administer it.
He plans to have a report on how a fund might work for the council at its regular August meeting.
It's not the first time the town council has tried to help residents facing hard economic times.
In January, the town started a program that allows residents who have lost their jobs to get a free, one-year membership to Jimmy C. Draughn Aquatic & Fitness Center.
Tim Rhoney, director of parks and recreation for the town, said they have between six and seven accounts, which include families and some individuals, who have taken advantage of the program.
He said they got quite a bit of interest in the beginning but some people didn't qualify because they didn't live within town limits.
People who have lost a job and live in the town limits can still join. Rhoney said because the economy hasn't improved since the program was implemented he will keep offering it until he's told otherwise.

Valdese considers helping with bills

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