Morganton considers change to utility policy after discrimination complaints

MORGANTON, N.C. — Major changes may be coming to a policy that some Morganton residents believe is discriminatory toward Hispanics.

Hundreds of people showed up to city hall Wednesday to voice their concern about a 25-year-old policy that requires residents to have a valid U.S. government issued ID to get city utilities.

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Channel 9 learned some people were unable to find a place to live because they were denied utilities under the policy.

“Why? Why are they doing that? We have many people right now that cannot rent,” said resident Ismael Vasquez.

Aziz Omer rents to many people of Guatemalan and Honduran descent and believes people’s rights are being violated.

He said the majority of the people impacted are in the country legally, but that it can take years for them to get a U.S. ID.

“Discrimination, racism, fear. I don’t know what other reasons, but they never talk," Omer said. "Every time I address these problems no one wants to talk about it.”

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City manager Sally Sandy told Channel 9's Dave Faherty the utility policy allowed the city a means to go after a collection if a customer didn’t pay a bill.

After reviewing state policy and talking with other cities, Morganton is now looking at adding foreign passports and driver’s licenses to the list as long as there is a photo ID and it's not expired.

“Yes we’re running a business, and we have to make good business decisions. But we also have to make good community and humanity decisions, and we have to balance those two. And I think this is the right decision,” Sandy said.

The City Council will vote on the change at a meeting on Oct. 7.

Cox Media Group