Water/Sewer Assessment Process

Assessment Confirmation Process

After a project is fully constructed and ready for connection, the property owners will receive a bill for their share of the improvements and will be informed on the bill of the date, time and location of the public hearing for assessment confirmation. This hearing will also include the levying of bills for each property owner and placing a lien on the property on the day of confirmation. Property owners may also appeal the assessment at this hearing if they feel they are not benefiting from the water or sewer line construction.

The costs of requested water and/or sewer improvements are assessed against all affected properties based on the unit price per front foot (the measurement of how wide the property is at the street). The current rate for water improvements is $17.00 per front foot and $40.00 per front foot for sewer improvements.

The property owners will be given 51 days to pay for the assessment without interest from the confirmation date.  If a balance remains after the 51 days, the customer may elect one of the two financing plans; Option 1- 5 years at 8% interest, Option 2- 3 years at prime rate + 1%.  The property owner will receive one bill per year each December.  The assessment can be paid off early without penalty.  

Is a Water/Sewer Assessment a lien?

When a water/sewer project is approved for construction by the Utility Commission each affected property owner name and the estimated assessment amount is entered into our database.  This database has a link to the City’s web page for title search purposes.  During the time of construction, the amount displayed is not a lien but a pending lien.  When construction is complete, the assessment will become a lien on the date the Utility Commission holds a public hearing and confirmation.  Letters are sent to each property owner providing these dates.  

Do I have to connect to public sewer if my septic tank is operating properly?

No.  However if your property has access to public sewer and your septic tank fails, you are not allowed to make repairs to the tank.  You must then connect to public sewer.

I am retired and on a fixed income and own a large tract of land that I still raise cattle on.  Is there some form of exemption that would apply to me?

Generally speaking, there are no exemptions if an assessment is levied on your property unless you have an extreme hardship or an unbuildable lot.  However, there are several ways to have the assessment fees deferred under North Carolina General Statute.  In short, these statutes say that anyone over 65 years of age, with a low fixed income, or a permanent disability may apply for deferment.  Deferment means the actual delay of payment for assessments.  Property owners having Agricultural, Horticultural, and/or Forest Lands can also apply for deferment.  The Utility Commission relies on the Forsyth County Tax office to determine deferment eligibility.  For more specific information, please contact our Revenue Division at 747-6956.

Will I have to pay an additional property assessment fee if City/County Utilities water and/or sewer already serves my property? 

Existing customers of the City/County Utility system have already paid for the service on one side; either through the Utility Commission’s policies or as a part of the cost of their lot if the property was part of a development.  However, if you own a corner lot and service is provided on the additional frontage, you may be required to pay for frontage exceeding 200 feet.