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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked
Questions
Water-related Questions
Q: What do I need to do to initiate water service?
A: To begin your water service, you’ll need to:
- Fill out the water service request form. The form is available
online or can be picked up from City Hall at 302 S.
Columbia Avenue in Rincon 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Attach a copy of your settlement statement or renter’s lease and a copy of
your driver’s license. If a real estate company, we will need a
listing.
- Pay a $100 deposit (for residential users) to complete your application.
We accept cash, check, money order, Visa or MasterCard. When mailing your application, do
not send cash. Checks or money orders should be made payable to City of
Rincon. A $150. deposit is required of all commercial users.
- Drop off your application at City Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday
through Friday, or simply it mail it to:
City of Rincon
Attn: Water Department, New Application
PO Box 232
Rincon, GA 31326
Q: After applying, how long does it take for my water service to begin?
A: Applications received before
4:00 p.m.
can be connected the same day.
Q: When will I receive my water bill?
A: Water bills are mailed before the
first day of each month. The City bills a month behind.
Q: How much will my water bill be?
A: Estimating water bills is difficult
because each customer’s type of account and water usage is different.
Click here for a list of actual rates.
Q: How do I have my water service cut
off?
A: Disconnect applications must be submitted
in person. Applications are available by clicking
here or can be picked up at City
Hall. A photo ID is required of the account holder.
Q: If I have a problem with my
utilities after hours, who do I contact?
A: The utilities department hours
are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. In the event of an
emergency, you can reach the on-call utilities staff person at
210-6237. Follow the prompt by entering your phone number, and your
call will be promptly returned.
Garbage Service Questions
Q:
When is garbage pickup?
A:
Garbage pickup day is Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday of each week, unless a holiday falls on
that day or an unforeseen problem occurs. Waste Management, the City’s garbage
contractor, is responsible for customer notification of changes in pickup
schedules. Information is also posted on the web site and on the door of
City Hall when provided to the City by Waste Management. If you have any
questions regarding holiday pickup, please call 965-0300.
Q:
How will I be billed for garbage services?
A:
Your garbage charges are billed on your monthly water and sewer bill.
Q:
How do I get a garbage can?
A:
If you are moving into a brand new construction home, you will be issued a
garbage can that will be delivered by Waste Management. within 7 days of the
day you move in. If you move into an existing home, the garbage can that
was issued to that address will then become yours. If the cart is
missing, the resident will need to contact City Hall to be
placed on the list for delivery from Waste Management.
Annexation into the City of Rincon
Q: Why is the
City of Rincon interested in annexing properties?
A: Rincon is both a residential and
commercial hub for the Port of Savannah and for the City of
Savannah, as well as being a key population city and commercial
center in Effingham County. Annexing properties provides for a
larger population base in planning for the future of the city
and county, and obtaining SPLOST (County Sales Tax) funding,
which is based on population, for new facilities, services,
projects, and grants from State and Federal resources. It would
also protect the county from the future advancing of the city
limits of Savannah and Port Wentworth, into Effingham County.
Rincon already has name national recognition (Billy Currington,
Lost Plantation Golf Course, and others), and its location
on I-95, just inside the Georgia border, offers a large variety
of tourism and commercial opportunities, and future job
potentials for Rincon citizens and business developers.
Q: Would my
mailing address change?
A: Most of the properties surrounding
Rincon already have Rincon Post Office addresses. A few
addresses might be affected. Correct addresses are important
because of the protection link provided by E9-1-1 telephone
service and first responders.
Q: Would
annexation save me money?
A: Perhaps not in every case; but for
the most part - Yes, very likely. If you compare property tax
rates and service delivery costs in the City of Rincon, which
has No Property Tax, with the services provided by Effingham
County, residents should see cost savings, and be able to
appreciate better and quicker services. The City charges a set
rate for user fees, etc. in the City, and a different and higher
rate if those services are provided to properties outside the
City limits, due to additional requirements of providing
services outside the City limits. So properties annexed into the
City limits could save on lower rates (recreation, water, sewer,
etc.).
Q: Would
annexation negatively affect my property values?
A: No. Annexation into the City of
Rincon should, in fact, increase the property values and
marketability of residential and commercial properties, due to
the lack of a City Property Tax, and the availability of quality
City services at reduced costs to City residents.
Q: How would my
police protection change?
A: The Rincon City Police Department
would assume responsibility for all law enforcement operations.
The Rincon City Council bases the man-power needs for law
enforcement on the population of the City. As the City grows,
the number of Police officers will increase. 24/7 coverage and
quicker response is the goal, with immediate back-up from other
units in the immediate area. Laws will be enforced to reduce
speeding in the area, stop drug abuse and drug sales, and to
catch criminals involved in illegal activity. The Rincon Police
Department is a trained and qualified group of professional law
enforcement officers.
Q: Would my
water and sewer service change?
A: This may depend. Some areas are
already under contracts with public or private water and sewer
utilities, so those probably would not change. The City of
Rincon uses several wells in the Upper Floridan Aquifer, but, by
Court Order, the City must join with and purchase water for our
excess needs from Effingham County and the City of Savannah in
order to protect ground and surface water resources in this part
of the state, and to avoid salt water intrusion into locally
used aquifers which service other wells in the region and
county, as well as our own. This may necessitate shifting
property wells to accessible water pipes from the system, in
order to better protect areas inside and outside the City. Some
properties are still on septic tanks, and efforts will be made
to develop a system for sewage disposal that will meet all
requirements of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division
regulations. In the future, this is likely to result in filling
and closing some septic tanks, which may pose a threat to the
household and/or the general community. The City will maintain
and develop these water and sewer main systems, set utility
rates, and manage billing considerations with the customers in
mind. The City of Rincon is in the process of further developing
a “re-use water” system for irrigation and some other purposes,
which should reduce the withdrawal amount of ground water,
reduce the cost of providing that water, and effectively manage
that re-use water in a way that reduces the impact of it going
immediately back into the creeks and rivers. The City is also
working on some ideas to help citizens with ideas for rain water
harvesting and other alternatives to help them reduce costs.
Q: Would
annexation affect where my children go to school?
A: No. School attendance zone boundaries
are handled by the Effingham Countywide School District and are
unaffected by annexation. Effingham County is noted for some of
the best schools in this region, which is a significant part of
the reason that new residents are moving into the county.
Q: How would my
trash pick-up change?
A: The City of Rincon has a contract
arrangement with Waste Management for curbside solid waste
pickup, once each week, billed with water bills. The rate from
Waste Management is very reasonable, and is re-visited every
year for adjustments. Residents are encouraged to recycle, where
possible, using several local receiving points (WalMart – Lions
Club, Habitat for Humanity, Georgia Pacific). The City is
currently exploring recycling alternatives with Waste
Management; and these should become more discussed and
considered in the next year. Residents are encouraged to be
mindful of what types of harmful products they put down their
sewer drains, stormwater drains, and in the trash containers,
and to dispose of these items properly. Various new information
brochures are available at City Hall. Limbs and leaves (dry
trash) can be picked up by the City Public Works Department by
calling City Hall. There is a fee for large amounts of limbs and
leaves. Residents are encouraged not to mix limbs and leaves
with solid waste in the trash container, as these are
recyclable.
Q: How would my
fire protection change?
A: The City of Rincon Volunteer Fire
Department has responsibility for a significantly large portion
of Effingham County in the Southeast portion of the County,
including the City of Rincon and a large unincorporated area
surrounding the City. The Rincon Volunteer Fire Department is
made up of people who care, from your community; and they are as
good as they come. The City is considering several additional
options (additional hydrants, larger piping, assigned staff,
etc.) that might improve ISO ratings and reduce home insurance
premiums over time.
Q: Would zoning
change?
A: Not of any noticeable difference. The
City Building and Zoning Department and the Growth Management
Plan might use different names than before, but the same zoning
potentials should be available in order to maintain the
character of the whole community.
Q: Is the City
of Rincon a financially strong municipal government?
A: Absolutely. Although the City of
Rincon does not have a Property Tax, the needs and services of
the citizens are being met through funding from strong financial
sources, such as SPLOST and LOST Sales Tax and from user fees,
permits, licenses, etc. where the resident pays for the services
that he uses (recreation, water, sewer, etc.). The City Council
spent several years preparing for a shift to a non-property tax
funding for Rincon, and carefully reviewed the potentials before
making the step. The City Council is dedicated to trying to
maintain that status of no property taxes and a strong financial
base. Even during the recent economic down-turns, felt
nationwide, the City of Rincon has continued to provide the same
level of quality services as in the past, while continuing to
plan for and prepare for developing new and better services in
the community.
Q: What kind of
government does the City of Rincon have?
A: The City of Rincon operates under a
Council-Manager form of government. This system of government
combines the strong political leadership of locally elected
officials with the education and managerial experience of an
appointed manager. Under the Council-Manager form of government,
elected officials (the Mayor and six City Council members) focus on
policymaking and growth issues, while the City Manager oversees the
day-to-day operations of the City. The City of Rincon uses an
at-large election system where the Mayor and half of the City
Council are elected in one cycle for four years, and the other half
of the City Council are elected two years later in staggered
elections. In the City Council elections the City is a single voting
district and the top three vote getters are the winners of the
election. Staggering elections allows the Council members, still
serving their terms, to offer information and guidance to the newly
elected Council members and promotes continuity.
If you have questions, you are encouraged to
speak with the Mayor or one of the City Council members; or
communicate with the City Manager at City Hall, at (912) 826-5745,
or at
RinconCityMgr@cityofrincon.com.
Other
Utilities Questions
Q: Who do I
contact for electrical service?
A: Georgia Power
149 Power Company Road
Springfield, Georgia
(800) 437-3890
www.southernco.com/savannah/
Q: Who do I
contact for telephone service?
A: Call one of the
following numbers depending on whether you are looking for
service for you home or your business:
Windstream
(800) 501-1754
or
Comcast
800-354-7531
Q: Who do I
contact for cable TV service?
A: COMCAST Cable
354-7531
Q: Who do I
contact for high-speed Internet Access?
A: For DSL call
the telephone company listed above. For cable, contact the
cable company listed above.
Q: Who do I
contact for gas service in my home?
A: Atlanta Gas Light Company
800-427-5463
Miscellaneous Questions
Q: How do I get a building
inspection?
A: All inspections are conducted
Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and require a minimum of
24 hours notice. Requests for inspections can be made by calling
912-826-5996 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Your call will be
returned to set an appointment for your inspection.
Q: Does Rincon have a Chamber of
Commerce?
A: The City of Rincon does not have
a separate Chamber of Commerce, but the Effingham County Chamber of
Commerce serves as a very dynamic and active part of our business
community. You can reach them by calling 912-754-3301 or by visiting
them at www.effinghamcounty.com.
Q: When are the City Council
meetings?
A: All regularly scheduled council
meetings are the second and fourth Monday of every month at 7 p.m.,
unless that Monday falls on a holiday or has another conflict for
council. Meetings are held at Rincon City Hall.
Q: When is court?
A: All court sessions are held on
the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at 4:30 p.m. in the
Rincon Police Department Court Room located at 107 W. 17th Street.
For information on court appearances and payment of fines, click
here.
Q: How and where do I pay my fines?
A: Some fines require an appearance
in court. If a court appearance is not required and you are a
Georgia resident, you can mail your check or money order made
payable to the City of Rincon to:
City of Rincon
PO Box 232
Rincon, GA 31326
You may also bring your payment to
the City of Rincon City Hall at 302 S. Columbia Avenue.
Q: How and when do I sign my child up
for recreation department sports?
A: Spring baseball and softball
signups are held from the end of January to mid February. Fall ball
signups are held the first half of July, and the season is from mid
August to mid September. Soccer sign ups are held the last half of
July, and the season is from mid September to mid October. For
complete information on recreation department sports, click
here. If you’d like to reach
Recreation Director George Foley, please call 826-0238 and leave a
message. A staff member will return your call as soon as possible.
Q: How do I get
a business license?
Detailed information regarding
business licenses is available by clicking
here.
Please note that the
mailing address for City Hall is:
P.O. Box 232
Rincon, GA 31326-0232
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