Services
Listed below are the service areas selected for study:
Residential Refuse Collection
This is regularly scheduled collection of household
refuse or "garbage" from residential premises
and other locations, including small businesses,
using containers small enough that residents and/or
workers can move or lift them manually. The service
excludes collection of waste from dumpsters, regular
or special collections of yard waste and leaves,
collection of recyclable materials, white good,
other bulky item, and any special or nonroutine
service provided to residences. Transportation of
refuse to a landfill or to a transfer station is
included, but the disposal of refuse and tipping
costs are excluded.
Household Recycling
This includes both curbside collection of household
recyclable materials from residences and certain
other locations and the drop-off of such materials
by citizens at recycling stations or centers. The
recyclable materials collected are mainly aluminum
and steel cans, plastics, glass bottles, newspapers,
magazines, and cardboard. The curbside portion of
this service involves regularly scheduled collection
that utilizes containers small enough that residents
and/or workers can move or lift them. Excluded are
collection of yard waste, leaves, and commercial
recycling.
Yard Waste/Leaf Collection
Yard waste and leaf collection includes regularly
scheduled or special collection of these items.
Such collection may occur from the curb, backyard,
or other locale. Yard waste and leaves may be bagged,
placed in containers, or loose. The service definition
excludes the collection of white goods and other
bulky items. Although some cities collect yard waste
and leaves with household refuse or other trash,
they do separate the two at some point in the collection
process because yard waste and leaves cannot be
placed in landfills.
Police Services
Police services consists of all police activities
performed by sworn and non-sworn personnel. This
includes, but is not limited to, activities performed
by patrol, traffic, investigations, special units,
support staff, supervisors, and police administration.
This definition captures all functions of the police
department except for emergency communications.
Emergency Communications
This service refers to the receipt and handling
of 911 and other calls by a police emergency communications
center. Such a center must answer all calls, including
those that come in over 911 lines and others that
come over regular phone lines. Some calls result
in the dispatch of a police or other emergency response
unit. Others do not.
Asphalt Maintenance & Repair
Asphalt maintenance & repair includes the activities
of pothole repair, repaving, surface treatment,
structure adjustments, milling, and utility cuts.
It does not include reconstruction, handicap ramps,
storm drainage, sidewalks, curb and gutter, row
maintenance, street cleaning and sweeping, pavement
marking, lane widening, unpaved street maintenance,
or snow and ice removal.
Fire Services
Fire Services refers to the activities and programs
relating to the prevention and suppression of fires,
responses to calls for service, rescue service (if
provided), fire inspections (if provided), responses
to hazardous materials calls (if provided), and
fire education services. The services provided by
fire departments vary from city to city, but the
common goal remains the same: to protect the lives
and property of the community served.
Building Inspections
Building Inspections refers to permit issuance and
inspections for building, electrical, mechanical
(heating and cooling), and plumbing work on new
residential and commercial construction or additions
and alterations to enforce the North Carolina State
Building Code and related local building regulations.
The inspection process includes the receipt of permit
applications, review of plans and specifications,
issuance of permits, and follow-up field inspections
to insure compliance. Excluded are the enforcement
of zoning and subdivision regulations, fire codes,
minimum housing codes, erosion and sedimentation
control regulations, watershed regulations, historic
preservation ordinances, and other development regulations
or plans.
Fleet Maintenance
Fleet maintenance represents the scheduled and unscheduled
maintenance of rolling stock performed by the central
garage and by contractual work assigned by the central
garage. This includes preventive, predictive, corrective,
and breakdown maintenance. Excluded from this definition
are rolling stock not maintained by the central
garage and the broader activities of fleet services
such as rolling stock replacement and disposal,
fuel station, and pool vehicle management.
Human Resources
Human Resources represents an internal support service.
It is characterized by various functions related
to the daily management of human capital or personnel,
including compensation analysis, position classification,
benefits administration, management of employee
training and development, employee relations, position
control, employee performance evaluations, recruitment
and selection, occupational heath, wellness, and
safety programs, administration of a Human Resources
Information System (HRIS), and general administration
of the central Human Resources office. Excluded
from this service area is risk financing, including
general liability insurance and workers’ compensation.
Water Services
Water Services includes the collection, treatment, distribution, and billing related to drinking water services. This service area includes reservoirs where appropriate, pumping stations, pipes to and from treatment plants, storage tanks, and treatment plants. Activities and costs include the operation, maintenance, and installation of infrastructure. Also included are costs and activities associated with the installation, upkeep, and reading of meters, billing and collection costs for drinking water services, and administrative activities such as planning, engineering, and testing. Excluded are reclaimed water, sewer collection, and waste water treatment services.
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