The City of Raeford is a municipal government that seeks to promote and support a high quality of life for its citizens. Through the development and contribution of all employees to the maximum of their potential, the city will provide quality service that results in the highest achievable levels of customer satisfaction and recognition for excellence. Service delivery will be cost effective, based on the needs of the community and the requirements of local ordinances, and state and federal laws. Our goal is to be the best local government for our size in North Carolina and to be recognized throughout the Eastern United States for providing quality service to citizens and visitors.

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

Emergency Only (Police/Fire/Rescue) 911

Animal Control (regular business hours) 875-5518

Police Administration (regular business hours) 875-4251

Fire Administration (regular business hours) 875-5150

City Administration (regular business hours) 875-8161

City Manager’s Office

Mayor’s Office

City Water/Sewer Service

City Tax Collector

Building Inspector/Code Enforcement

Finance Department

Personnel Department

Public Works Department 875-5031

Garbage/Trash Collection

Wastewater Treatment Plant 875-4931

Water Treatment Plant 875-5337

REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS:

Administration, Police & Fire Department: Monday – Friday (8 AM to 5 PM)

Public Works, Wastewater & Water Plant:

Monday – Thursday (7:30 AM to 5 PM), Friday (7:30 AM – 11:30 AM)*

*during hot summer months, hours begin & end earlier

Note: holidays we observe throughout the year are publicized in local newspaper.

TYPE OF GOVERNMENT: City Council/Mayor

CHARTER DATE: 1901

AREA INSIDE CITY LIMITS: 3.92 sq. miles

POPULATION: 3,794 in City and 41,000 in Hoke County

WEBSITE ADDRESS: www.raeford.org (Hoke County’s website is www.hokecounty.org)

WATER CONSERVATION TIPS

After years of drought in various regions, the State of NC’s water resources are seriously depleted. The State Governor’s office has called on all cities and counties to help reduce water usage. Here are some tips to not only conserve some water but to also reduce your water bill.

Watering Tips:

Modest watering helps build stronger, healthier lawns. Constant over-watering promotes shallow roots, which can damage your lawn during hot summer months and cold winter months. The healthiest lawns have healthy roots. The best watering practices moisten the soil 4 – 6 inches deep, which is the extent of the root zone and requires only about 1 inch of water.

Water your lawn only when you see signs of moisture stress, or when you see footprints on your lawn. Other signs of moisture stress are bluish gray color, wilted, folded or curled leaves. Watering in the early morning or early evening is best to avoid evaporation of the water.

You need 1 inch of water for clay soils and ½ inch of water for sandy soils to moisten the soil 4 to 6 inches deep. To know when you’ve put out one inch of water put a few cans out on the lawn next time you water. When they fill up one inch, you’re done. Keep track of how long that took & just turn on the sprinklers for that amount of time.

Bathroom Tips:

Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket.

Take shorter showers and save 5 – 10 gallons per minute.

Fill a plastic laundry or soap bottle and place it in the toilet tank (avoid bricks or rocks as they crumble and can cause plumbing problems).

Fill the bathtub only halfway and save 10-15 gallons. Stop up the tub before turning on the water.

Turn the water off while brushing your teeth or shaving (faucets use 2 – 3 gallons a minute).

Install water-saving showerheads that provide a vigorous spray while reducing water flow 3 – 5 gallons per minute.

Kitchen Tips:

Fix your leaking faucet. A faucet dripping at a rate of one drop a second wastes 2,700 gallons a year. A constant drip can go through as much as 1,100 gallons per day!

Run the dishwasher & washing machine only when they are full. Dishwashers use 8 – 12 gallons of water per load and washing machines use up to 50 gallons per cycle.

Scrape your dishes & let your dishwasher do the rest (no need to rinse plates before).

WATER CONSERVATION TIPS

(continued)

Kitchen Tips (continued):

Defrost food overnight or using the microwave, not under running water.

Turn the water off when washing dishes by hand.

Store drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap to get it cool.

Fill a bowl to wash fruits and vegetables instead of under running water. After you are finished, use this water to water your plants.

Outdoor Tips:

Take your car to a commercial car wash, preferably one that uses recycled water.

Adjust your sprinklers so they don’t water the sidewalk or driveway.

Mulch your flowers and garden beds to reduce evaporation and weeds.

Replace hoses that leak.

Use a broom or blower instead of water to clean driveways and sidewalks.

Use a drip hose to water flowers or vegetables.

Water gardens or lawns during the morning or late afternoon to avoid water loss through evaporation.

Reduce the frequency of watering your lawn.

Check your pool and spa for leaks and make sure you cover those devices at night (helps to stave off evaporation).

If water restrictions are imposed, please follow the rules in your area.

DO YOU HAVE A WATER LEAK?

CHECK YOUR WATER METER. Turn off all water-using appliances in your home and take a reading at your meter. Wait 30 minutes, then read your meter again. If the dial has moved, you have a leak!

CHECK YOUR TOILET FOR LEAKS. Put a small amount of food coloring in your toilet tank. In 15 minutes, check your bowl. Is it colorful in there? If so you have a leak. Flush immediately so you don’t stain the bowl.

- A -

Abandoned Motor Vehicles – to report abandoned motor vehicles on public streets or private property, call our Police Dept.

Accident Reports – see “Police Reports”.

Animal Control – to report stray or trespassing animals, call Animal Control to help enforce Raeford’s leash law.

Athletics – contact Hoke County Parks & Recreation @ 875-4035.

Auctions – the City disposes of surplus cars, truck, and miscellaneous items once a year by auction, call the Administrative Dept. for specifics.

- B -

Bicycles/Skateboards – both are not permitted on sidewalks in the central business district (South Main & shopping centers) or on tennis courts.

Budget – approved by the City Council for fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) and sets the property tax rate based on assessed value. For additional information, call our Finance Dept.

Building Permits – can be secured at City Hall located at 315 N. Main Street. If not in City limits, call Hoke County @ 875-8751.

Building Standards – all building and zoning regulations are administered by the City and County which issues permits and inspects construction.

Burning – Raeford prohibits outside open burning within the City limits. For details, call our Fire Dept.

Business Privilege License – see “Licenses”.

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Cable Service – provided by Time Warner Cable (call 1-888-489-2666). Emergency information will interrupt regular programming and will broadcast emergency conditions and details. To resolve problems or make comments about cable service, call the cable company first. If the company does not respond satisfactorily, contact our Administrative Dept.

Cemetery – to purchase lots and make inquiries, call our Administrative Dept.

Chamber of Commerce – located at 101 North Main (call 875-5929).

City Council – governed by a five member policy-making council elected city-wide. Unless otherwise announced, the City Council meets in the Council Chamber of City Hall on the first Monday of each month at 7:30 PM. The public is encouraged to attend.

City Manager – under a council-manager form of government, the Manager is charged with administering the day-to-day operations of City government as well as implementing the policies enacted by City Council.

Code Enforcement – for information relating to zoning, signs, abandoned vehicles, day care operations, or group homes, call City Hall.

Colleges – Sandhills Community College has a satellite location at 1110 E. Central Avenue (call 875-8589).

Crime Prevention – to get assistance in organizing Neighborhood Watch Programs or public educational assistance, call our Police Department.

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Dead Animal Pick-up – Call Animal Control or Police Department to report location of dead animal if within the city limits.

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Economic Development Department – this department coordinates the City’s and County’s involvement in selected public/private ventures, assists in planning and coordinating special events and provides information and referral on economic and business development (call 875-6113).

Electricity – for information on services, contact either Progress Energy @ 1-800-452-2777 or Lumbee River Electric @ 843-4131.

Emergency – emergency assistance is available 24 hours a day. For Police, Fire Dept. or emergency medical assistance, dial 911 (non-emergency inquiries should call 875-2135). Our enhanced system will automatically provide us with your phone number and location.

Employment Opportunities – all job vacancies with the City are posted with the Employment Security Commission and on the bulletin board in the lobby area of our Administrative Offices. Applications are only taken when there is an opening.

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Fire – volunteer firefighters provide 24 hour service for fires and hazardous materials. The Raeford Fire Department, founded in 1926, has an ISO insurance rating of 4. The Fire Marshal is responsible for enforcement of NC Fire Code. For information about neighborhood education programs and fire prevention services, call our Fire Dept.

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Garbage and Trash Collection – garbage pick up is scheduled twice weekly (except holidays). For details, call our Public Works Dept.

Household Garbage – all garbage must be in watertight containers (limit of 2 per household) and not more than 35 gallons each with handles; or a polycart and placed at a readily accessible/safe location for collection. The City WILL

NOT PICK UP ANY LOOSE GARBAGE OR FROM YARDS WITH DANGEROUS ANIMALS. Polycarts may be purchased through the City.

Yard Debris – leaves, grass clippings, and/or pine straw may be piled together (if in plastic bags or other container, they will be emptied and container left in yard). The above need to be piled separately from limbs, trimmings, or other debris.

Tree, Shrubbery, & Other Debris – limbs, shrubbery and other trimmings; unpainted wood or wood products; a minimal amount of stone, rock, concrete or asphalt debris can be picked up together. There will be a charge if there is more than a cubic yard per pick up.

Lot Clearing – Contractor must dispose of all material from any lot or land clearing operation.

Other Items That Must be Requested for Pick-up in Advance - any appliances or metal items; furniture or junk items, tires.

ITEMS WE WILL NOT PICK UP – construction, remodeling or demolition material of any type or amount. If clean up or repair work is contracted, the contractor is responsible for handling and disposing of it. Otherwise, items listed above must be personally carried to the landfill.

Gas (Natural) – for gas availability contact NC Natural Gas @ 1-800-275-6264.

- H -

Hoke County Offices – located at 227 North Main Street (call 875-8751).

House Numbers – The Code Enforcement Office assigns house numbers and requires that house numbers be attached to a residence and be visible from the street. The intent is to identify all properties in order to expedite the response time when emergency vehicles are dispatched.

- I -

Industrial Development – see “Economic Development”.

Insurance – damage claims involving the City are handled by our Finance Dept.

- J -

Jail – operated by Hoke County (call 875-5111).

Junk – see “Code Enforcement”.

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Landfill – Hoke County Landfill is located on Airport Road (call 875-3111).

Leash Law – City ordinance requires that dogs be under physical control or restraint, such as a leash, or in a secure fence while loose on the owner’s property. They must always be under physical restraint when off the owner’s property.

Library – Hoke County Public Library offers information and reference services, career guidance, special programming for children and young adults, and circulating collection of books, videos, pamphlets, audiotapes & films (call 875-2502).

Licenses

Automobile – tags, stickers, titles, etc. must be applied for within 30 days of purchase or move to the state. Prices will vary according to vehicle type. NC License Plate Agency is located at 110 Campbell Avenue (call 875-2179).

Business Privilege License – certain businesses operating within the corporate limits of Raeford are required to have a City license which can be secured in our Administrative Offices at 315 N. Main Street.

Driver’s License – must be applied for within 30 days of moving into the state. Contact the DMV, located at 3144 Highway 401 Business (call 875-2442).

Fishing & Hunting – contact your local sporting goods store.

Marriage/Birth Certificates – call Hoke County Register of Deeds

(call 875-2035).

Loose Leaf Pick up – see “Garbage and Trash Collection”.

Lot Clean Up – complaints regarding overgrown yards and lots should be directed to our Public Works Dept.

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Magistrates – located in Hoke County Sheriff’s Dept. (call 875-2161).

Marriage – see “Licenses”.

Mayor – elected every four years, presides at City Council meetings. Together, the Mayor and City Council are responsible for establishing the general policies under which the City operates.

- P -

Parade Permit– issued by the Police Department for parades/pickets.

Parking – on street and off street 2 hour parking is available in the center of City area. Be aware, it is illegal to make a “U” turn or turn left to park. For more information regarding long-term parking, call our Police Dept.

Parking Tickets – may be paid by mail or in person at City Hall.

Parks & Recreation – Hoke County operates this department (call 875-4035).

Planning & Community Development – involved in such areas as subdivision site plan approval, zoning and sign enforcement, the Community Development Block Grant program, neighborhood redevelopment, census and economic data, and neighborhood planning.

Police – office hours are 8 AM to 5 PM Monday-Friday (except holidays). Call 911 for emergencies.

Police Reports – copies of accident and arrest reports are available for a small fee from the Police Dept. They must be obtained in person at the Police Station.

Pot Holes – call the Public Works Dept. to report needed repairs of City streets.

Property Tax – levied on real and personal property in January annually. City residents must pay both City and County taxes. Taxes are billed in July, due Sept. 1^st and can be paid without interest by Jan. 5^th. 2% interest is assessed on Jan. 6^th plus ¾ of 1% of the first of each month thereafter until paid. Tax listing schedule is from Jan. 1^st to Jan. 31^stat Hoke County Administrative offices.

Public Health – contact Hoke County Health Department (call 875-3717).

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Recycling – a drop-off collection center is located at Raeford/Hoke Village on the 1^st and 3^rd Saturday of each month from 9 AM to 3 PM. Collectible items: newsprint, cardboard, plastics, and aluminum cans.

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Schools – contact Hoke County Board of Education (call 875-4106).

Signs – to report illegal posted signs, to obtain a permit to erect a permanent sign, or to get a street sign installed or repaired, call our Public Works Dept.

Social Security Office – Fayetteville office phone #433-3022; or home office 1-800-722-1213.

State Employment/Unemployment Office – Raeford office is located at 310 Birch Street (call 875-5059).

Street Lighting – to report street lights that are out, call our Public Works Dept.

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Tax Rates – property owners are liable for both City and County taxes. City and County tax rates differ and are billed separately. Yearly tax listing is required through the Hoke County Tax Office (call 875-8751), 227 N. Main Street. Taxes are based on the location and valuation of your property.

Telephone Service – Embarq is local carrier (residence accounts call 864-9011; business accounts call 1-800-901-9675).

Traffic Signals & Signage – to report malfunctioning signals or missing signs, call our Police Dept. For emergencies (after hours) call 911.

Turkey Festival – 2-3 day event held annually in September. Consists of cooking contest, parade, live entertainment, arts & crafts, and much more (call 875-5929).

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Vaccination of Pets – pets (dogs & cats) must be vaccinated if over four months old. Shots last for 3 years and must be renewed. This can be done by any veterinarian.

Voting – to register to vote or additional details, contact the Hoke County Board of Elections (call 875-8751).

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Water & Sewer Bills – mailed monthly for the previous month’s service based on usage. The bill includes the amount and the due date. Service is discontinued without prior notice upon failure to pay by the due date and a reconnect fee is charged before restoration of service. Bills may be paid by mail or in person at City Hall (night depository located by front entrance). Bank draft service available upon request.

Water & Sewer Service – for same day service, you must come to City Hall before 4:30 PM (Monday-Friday). There is a non-refundable service charge and a deposit required when establishing an account.

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Zoning – Land development is regulated by Zoning Ordinances. For information, contact our Code Enforcement Office.