Get the Answers You Need
In today’s world, information on almost any subject is available at our fingertips from a variety of sources.
Whether fact, fiction, opinion-based, or somewhere in-between, information travels quickly and sometimes can be contradictory, confusing and often overwhelming. The City has created this page to provide facts and accurate background information on some of the most widely discussed and compelling topics related to City government. We hope you find this resource helpful.
#KnowYourFacts
This page will be updated regularly as information circulates and questions are raised.
Water
Yes. Water processed at the J.V. Tarpley Water Treatment Plant is tested in accordance to all North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS) and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) rules and standards.
For more information regarding water quality, visit the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)’s site. [link]
Notice of Violation (NOV) Letters are issued in accordance with state law. The timing and distribution of these notices are directed by the state. Each letter includes the purpose, reason, and explanation for the notice. Many of the recent notices were issued during the renovation of the JV Tarpley Water Plant, which temporarily impacted testing metrics while we were not producing our own water.
Discoloration of water can occur when above-average levels of iron and manganese are present in our raw water sources—Long Creek and the reservoirs at Arrowood Lake and Webber Lake. Iron and manganese are naturally occurring minerals that typically increase during the fall and spring months.
The City works continuously with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) to evaluate and optimize our water treatment process to minimize discoloration.
Although the water may appear discolored, it remains safe for consumption and everyday use.
Manganese is commonly found in both ground and surface water. It enters the water naturally through soil erosion, especially during periods of drought, flooding, or heavy rainfall. It can also form from decomposing organic matter such as leaves and mulch. A common seasonal event known as lake turnover—which occurs in the spring and fall when water temperatures change—can also increase manganese levels. During turnover, deeper water layers rise to the surface, bringing naturally occurring minerals with them.
Heavy rainfall events can also lead to increased erosion, which contributes to elevated levels of iron and manganese in our creeks, lakes, and reservoirs.
For more information about water discoloration and its causes, please contact Water Plant ORC Ashton Lingerfelt at (704) 629-5684 or alingerfelt@bessemercity.com.
Governing Body
Bessemer City operates under a Council-Manager form of government, a structure widely adopted in North Carolina and across the United States to promote professional, non-partisan administration of local government.
What Is the Council-Manager Form of Government?
In this system, the elected City Council serves as the legislative body, responsible for setting policies, passing ordinances, and making major decisions. The Council appoints a City Manager to act as the chief executive officer, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the city. This includes managing city departments, implementing policies, preparing the budget, and hiring or firing city employees. The City Manager is accountable to the Council and can be removed at any time by a majority vote.
This model is designed to separate political decision-making from administrative functions, ensuring that city operations are run efficiently and professionally.
Role of the City Manager
The City Manager in Bessemer City is responsible for:
- Implementing policies set by the City Council
- Overseeing daily operations and city departments
- Preparing and managing the city budget
- Hiring and managing city staff
- Advising the Council on policy matters
- Ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
By delegating these responsibilities to a professional manager, the Council can focus on long-term planning and policy-making without getting involved in daily administrative tasks.
Role of the Mayor and City Council
In a Council-Manager system, the Mayor and City Council have distinct but complementary roles:
- City Council: Composed of elected members, the Council serves as the legislative body. They set policies, pass ordinances, and make major decisions affecting the city. The Council also appoints the City Manager and holds them accountable for the city’s administration.
- Mayor: The Mayor is a member of the City Council and serves as the presiding officer at Council meetings. In many Council-Manager systems, the Mayor’s role is largely ceremonial, with limited executive powers. They may represent the city at official functions and help set the legislative agenda but do not have voting authority except when there is a tie.
This structure ensures that elected officials focus on policy and governance, while professional managers handle the operational aspects of city management.
Why Bessemer City Uses This Model
The Council-Manager system is designed to provide professional management of city affairs, reduce political influence in administration, and promote efficiency and accountability. By separating legislative and executive functions, it aims to create a balanced and effective local government. This model is particularly well-suited for cities like Bessemer City, where professional expertise is essential for managing growth and delivering services effectively.
Bessemer City’s Council-Manager government combines elected policy-making with professional administration, ensuring that both governance and management are handled efficiently and effectively.
Here a [link] to the City’s organization chart.
Finances
Yes. In 2024, Bessemer City was placed on the North Carolina Local Government Commission’s (LGC) Unit Assistance List (UAL) due to financial performance indicators.
The UAL is a tool developed by the LGC, part of the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer, to identify and assist local government units (e.g., counties, municipalities, and utility districts) facing financial or governance challenges.
LINKS
2021-2022 Audit Letter (Financial Performance Indicators of Concern) [link]
2022-2023 Audit Letter (Financial Performance Indicators of Concern) [link]
2023-2024 Audit Letter (Financial Performance Indicators of Concern) [link]
Local Government Commission Planning Memo [link]
The UAL is used to:
Highlight units with financial concerns, such as low general fund balances, poor water/sewer fund liquidity, insufficient income or cash flow, or weak internal controls.
Identify units that have failed to submit audited financial statements within the timeframe required by N.C.G.S. § 159-34(a).
Prioritize oversight and allocate LGC staff resources for guidance and fiscal monitoring.
If a unit does not address the issues that led to its inclusion on the UAL, the LGC may assume control of its financial operations. This authority includes impounding records, levying taxes, managing revenues, and adopting budgets. In severe cases, continued non-compliance can result in the revocation of a municipality’s charter.
The most recent Unit Assistance List and related audit status information are available on the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer’s website: Unit Assistance List | NC Treasurer
Yes. In accordance to North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS), local governments are audited every year. Annual Audits of the City can be found here.
No. The City Council is responsible for setting the City Manager’s salary. As of April 1, 2025, the City Manager’s salary is $120,000. At the City Manager’s request, the FY 2024–2025 budget did not include a 2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for this position.
The City Manager’s salary is based on a Council-adopted Salary Study conducted in 2018 by a third-party consultant. This study used market data and established methodology to determine pay ranges for all City job classifications, which is a common practice in local government. It included data from nearby communities and municipalities of similar size.
As of 2024, the adjusted salary range for the City Manager position (Grade 33), which is updated annually for COLA adjustments when applicable, is:
Minimum: $106,128.31
Midpoint: $132,659.81
Maximum: $159,191.31
The City plans to conduct an updated salary study in 2025 to reflect current market conditions for all employees.
NCGS requries local governments to operate with a balanced budget each fiscal year. Bessemer City experienced five (5) key factors that impacted City finances as outlined below:
- Additional Debts
- Additional Operational Expenses
- Ending Fund Balance Appropriations
- Investments for Growth
- Administrative Shares
More information about these factors can be found in the City Manager’s 24-25 Recommended Budget Presentation. [link]
No. The FY 2025-2026 Manager Recommended Budget does not include a tax rate increase. More information about budget can be found here. [link]
Development
No. The Lofts at Osage Mill is a private development. The City provided technical assistance during the development phases of this project along with project coordination with City staff. For information about the Osage Mill, please visit this [link].
No. The City cannot prevent businesses from developing within its limits as long as they comply with the Land Development Code (LDC) and zoning regulations, which are aligned with NCGS 160D. Business development is generally driven by market factors such as population, traffic patterns, income levels, and property availability.
For more information about NCGS 160D, please visit this [link].
For more information about the City’s Land Development Code (LDC), please visit this [link].
In accordance to NCGS 160D, the City cannot regulate design, size, or value of single-family homes with traditional zoning regulations.
In accordance with NCGS 160D, the City is required to consider all rezoning and project requests that follow the procedures outlined in the City’s Land Development Code (LDC). The City does not have the authority to simply reject a project without adhering to the established process, which often includes holding a public hearing.
Solid Waste
Overfilled carts will not be picked up because excessive waste increases landfill costs, contributes to litter (closed lids keep trash contained prior to pick up), and additional weight from overfilled carts can be problematic for mechanical arms on trucks to pick up. Additionally, extra trash in carts means extra landfill cost not accounted for in your monthly cart cost. These additional fees are charged to the City, which impact the cost to the entire community and customer base. Additional carts are strongly recommended for households who need them.
Overfilled carts also vioated Bessemer City’s Code of Ordinances.
Trash Service Information Page [link]
The City provided recycling services until June 2020. The decision to discontinue the program was made to avoid increasing monthly recycling fees for residents, due to shifts in the recycling market and high levels of contamination in recycling bins. Contaminated loads incur additional landfill dumping fees.
To address the issue, the City made efforts to educate residents on proper recycling practices through pamphlets, monthly newsletters, and social media. Despite these efforts, contamination levels remained high.
A Citizen Opinion Survey was also conducted to gather feedback on whether to continue the recycling program.
The City will continue to monitor conditions and explore opportunities to reinstate the program in the future.
Contact
You can contact the City at www.bessemercity.com/contact for information or questions. If you are looking for specific records, please contact the City Clerk at hhayes@bessemercity.com or (704) 629-5542.
You may also complete a Public Records Request. Click here for access.
Submit Your Question
You have questions and we believe you deserve timely, accurate information. BC Fact Check addresses questions and rumors residents have heard about the community and Bessemer City government. If there is a question or rumor not already addressed on this page, you can request an answer. Together, we’ll build a more informed community.