Mayor John Carney Reaffirms His Veto of Substitute No. 2 to Ordinance 25-017, Ensuring Commitment to Fair and Sustainable Water Utility Policies

Post Date:08/06/2026 11:53 AM
WILMINGTON - On July 22, 2026, Mayor John Carney vetoed Substitute No. 2 to Ordinance 25-017, citing concerns that the legislation would undermine the City's ability to responsibly manage its water utility system while maintaining fairness for all ratepayers.

In a veto message delivered to Wilmington City Council President Ernest Congo, Mayor Carney emphasized that while the City remains committed to helping residents facing financial hardship, it cannot support a policy that removes an important tool for collecting overdue utility payments and protecting the long-term financial stability of the water system.

"Wilmington has worked hard to strike a balance between supporting residents and ensuring the financial health of our public utilities," said Mayor Carney. "We recognize the importance of making water service affordable and accessible, but we must also maintain policies that encourage customers to engage with the City to resolve delinquent accounts."

In his letter, Mayor Carney noted that the City already has strong protections in place for customers, including prohibiting water disconnections during extreme weather, on weekends, and during periods of economic crisis. Customers also receive six months' notice before any water disconnection is initiated, ensuring ample opportunity to resolve outstanding balances.

Wilmington currently has more than 4,000 delinquent water accounts, yet water disconnections remain rare because the City's approach prioritizes outreach and resolution. The notice of water disconnection serves as one of the few effective tools for encouraging customers to work with the City before accounts become unmanageable.

Mayor Carney also reaffirmed his administration's commitment to improving affordability and equity within the City's water utility system [us.list-manage.com]. The administration remains open to working with City Council on expanding eligibility for the Water Assistance Program by identifying additional state and federal funding opportunities and reviewing potential improvements to the City's disconnection policies.
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