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Please select a category below in order to be directed to questions related to that category. If your question is not answered through any of the answers on this
page, please contact us through our online form in Contact Us.
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General Questions
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Planning and Building
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Public Works
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TTHM Information
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General Questions
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Are City and County taxes billed separately?
Yes.
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Can I pay my vehicle tax at the City of Mebane Tax Department?
No, vehicle tax must be paid to the County Tax Office.
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Do I need a license or permit for a home based business?
In most cases home based businesses do require a license or permit. For specifics on the requirements for your home business contact the Planning Department at 919-563-5901.
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Do I need a privilege license to conduct business inside the City of Mebane?
In most cases you will need a privilege license to conduct business inside the City of Mebane; however, most trades and retail businesses do need a privilege license. Certain professions are exempt. Please call the Tax Department at 919-563-5901 regarding your specific business.
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Does the City of Mebane give a discount for early tax payments?
Yes, there is a 2% discount if taxes are paid by August 31st.
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Does the City of Mebane have a Chamber of Commerce?
No, the City of Mebane is a member of the Alamance County Chamber of Commerce. For more information call 336-228-1338.
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How can I contact the Mayor?
The Mayor is an elected official who presides over the City Council meetings; however, he is not a full time paid employee of the City of Mebane. He may be reached at 919-563-4501 or 919-563-4863. (Please see attached copy of Council members’ addresses and phone numbers.)
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How do I get placed on the City Council’s agenda?
You must submit a request in writing to the City Manager at least two weeks prior to the scheduled meeting in order to be placed on the agenda.
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Is there a direct line to contact the Water Department?
No, please call 919-563-5901.
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Is there a drop box for after hour payments?
Yes, the drop box is located to the left of the front door on the Municipal Building.
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May I pay a water or tax bill over the phone with a credit/debit card?
No, we only accept payments by mail, in person, or dropbox in the form of cash, check or money order.
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What are the phone numbers for Alamance County offices and Orange County offices?
Alamance County: 336-228-1312
Orange County 919-732-8181
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What companies provide electricity, gas, telephone, and cable TV to Mebane?
Electricity:
Duke Power 336-538-0015
Piedmont Electric 1-800-222-3107
Public Service Co. of NC (PSNC) 877-776-2427
Mebtel Communications 919-563-9111
Time Warner Cable 919-563-2288 or 336-584-1383
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What hours are you open?
We are open 8:00am-5:00pm, Monday thru Friday.
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When and where does the city council meet?
The city council meets in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building on the first Monday of each month, at 6:00pm.
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When and where does the Planning Board meet?
The Planning Board meets in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building on the second Monday of each month, at 6:30pm.
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When are tax bills issued?
Tax bills are usually sent out in mid-August.
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Where can I find out about Parks & Recreation Department functions (July 4th Fireworks, Christmas Parade, Sports Camps, etc.)?
Refer to the seasonal activities section of the website.
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Where do I dispose of trash and waste that the city does not pick up?
Please contact the City of Mebane Public Works Division at 919-563-3401.
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Where do I go to establish or renew a driver’s license?
The DMV is located at 111 East Crescent Square Drive, Graham, NC 27253. For more information call 336-570-6811.
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Where do I go to get tags for my car?
The NC Motor Vehicle License Plate Agency is located at 2668 Ramada Road, Burlington, NC 27215. For more information call 336-228-7152.
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Where do I pay for recreation fees?
Recreation fees can be paid at the Municipal Building located at 106 East Washington Street.
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Where do I vote?
Depending upon the county in which you reside, contact one of the following offices: Alamance County Board of Elections 336-570-6755 or Orange County Board of Elections 919-245-2400.
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Where is Mebane City Hall located?
Mebane City Hall is located at 106 E. Washington Street in Downtown Mebane (the Municipal Building facing the railroad tracks). For more information call 919-563-5901.
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Who do I report a non-working street light to?
Please contact the Mebane Police Department at 919-563-9031.
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Planning and Building
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How can I get a rezoning, special use, or variance application?
The application is printable from the City of Mebane's website or you may call the Planning Department at 563-5901 to obtain an application.
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How long is the rezoning, special use, or variance process?
These processes usually take between 2 - 3 months.
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How long will it take for plan review?
Plan review takes 1-2 weeks.
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How long will it take to get a Building Permit?
It takes 1-2 weeks to acquire a building permit.
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How much is a rezoning, special use, or variance application?
These applications are each $200.00.
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How much is the Technical Review Committee (TRC) fee?
TRC fees are $100.00 for the first review and $50.00 for each additional review.
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When can I pick up my Building Permit?
Building permits may be picked up between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm, Monday thru Friday.
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When should I call for an inspection?
Inspections calls should be made between the hours of 8:00am and 9:00am, Monday thru Friday at 919-563-5901.
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Who do I make the check or money order payable to?
All checks and money orders should be made out to The City of Mebane.
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Public Works
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What are the Public Works hours of operation?
The Public Works hours of operation are Monday thru Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm.
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What are Waste Industries and how can they be contacted?
We are contracted with Waste Industries to service recycling. They can be contacted through Public Works at 919-563-3401 or through Waste Industries at 336-229-0525.
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What is the schedule for trash pickup during a holiday?
If a holiday occurs during the work week, you will normally receive two garbage pickups. Route changes will be published in The Burlington Times News and The Mebane Enterprise Newspaper.
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What is the schedule for yard waste pickup?
Yard waste pickup alternates from the north to south side each week. Please remember to bag or containerize your grass clippings and yard waste in order to comply with storm water issues.
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Who should I call to pick up bulky items, appliances, or lumber?
Public Works can be reached at 919-563-3401 to help dispose of these items.
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TTHM Information
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What are the compliance standards for TTHMs and what were the recent sampling results?
The US Environmental Protection Agency and the NC Public Water Supply Section currently establish a compliance standard for TTHMs at 0.08 mg/l (or 0.08 parts per million) based on quarterly sampling. Mebane’s most recent compliance sampling (November, 2009) indicated a TTHM level of 0.082 mg/l, just slightly over the standard.
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What are trihalomethanes (TTHMs)?
TTHMs are disinfection by-products formed when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter in the Graham-Mebane Lake. Chlorine is required to be used in the treatment plant process to disinfect the treated water to control possible disease causing microorganisms in the water.
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What if I have additional questions not listed here?
If there are any additional questions concerning this fact sheet, please contact Jimmy Jobe, Mebane Public Works Director at 919-304-9210 or by e-mail at jjobe@cityofmebane.com.
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What is being done to improve the TTHM levels in the drinking water?
The City of Graham and the City of Mebane own the Graham-Mebane Lake and Treatment Plant. Plant staff have been exploring a number of operational modifications to improve treatment plant performance to reduce TTHM levels. There has been recent pilot plant work for possible treatment plant process additions which may improve TTHM levels. Graham and Mebane have also approved the installation of 3 Solar Mixers to be placed in the lake near the intake structure to improve mixing which is anticipated to improve plant performance. The Mebane water distribution system is also continuing to be flushed on a routine basis as a part of a TTHM reduction plan.
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What should I do?
According to EPA and NC Public Water Supply Section sources, you do not need to use an alternative (e.g., bottled) water supply. There is not an immediate risk as the recent quarterly sampling indicates the drinking water is very close to the compliance standard (0.082 mg/l compared to the 0.080 mg/l standard). Some people who drink water for many years containing elevated TTHMs may experience some health issues. Additional information on the possible health impacts may be found at the EPA Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) or by reviewing materials on the EPA web site at http://www.epa.gov/OGWDW/.
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Why are TTHMs in the drinking water?
TTHMs result from disinfecting the drinking water with chlorine. Adequate disinfection is essential for protecting consumers from possible life threatening diseases, such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, or giardia. The health risks from TTHMs are extremely small compared to the risks associated with inadequate disinfection. It is the primary responsibility of the water treatment plant operators to provide adequate disinfection and that such disinfection should not be compromised in an attempt to decrease the disinfection by-products.
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Why have the TTHM levels increased in the drinking water?
The Mebane drinking water started showing increased levels of TTHMs beginning in 2007, although the annual average remained compliant until 2008. This time period coincides with the recent drought which also appears to have increased levels of organic matter (total organic carbons-TOCs) in the lake. The increase in TOCs resulted in higher TTHMs when the water is chlorinated. Recent data indicates that the TOCs in the lake are showing a decline with the increased rainfall and it is anticipated that TTHMs will also decline.
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Will there be future notices of non-compliance?
Due to the averaging requirement of the quarterly sampling results, it is likely that the city will not be in compliance for the annual average for the next two quarters, even though quarterly results are anticipated to be improved. With improving source water, operational modifications at the plant, routine system flushing, and the installation of the Solar mixers; full compliance is anticipated to be achieved by the end of 2010.
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