The Town of Spruce Pine has adopted a new program that will help them to collect unpaid tax and utility bills. The Local Government Debt Setoff program is through the NC Department of Revenue. The program requires the town to input a valid customer social security number, name and a past due amount greater than $50 that has been billed within the past few years. With that information the town can receive payment for overdue bill by way of the person’s state income tax return or lottery winnings. Currently the town has $6000 in utility debts and $10,000 in tax debts that would qualify for the program. There is a $15 charge tacked onto the overdue bills that is used to fund the program. Mitchell County currently uses the same program for tax collection and would receive priority if there is an overlap.
