Debt setoff workshops scheduled for September

Six training workshops for current and prospective users of the N.C. Local Government Debt Setoff Clearinghouse have been scheduled across the state for September.

The N.C. Local Government Debt Setoff Program, authorized by the General Assembly and administered by the NCACC, the N.C. League of Municipalities and Five Star Computing in Columbia, S.C., offers counties, cities and other local agencies, such as water and sewer authorities, joint regional agencies, public health authorities and sanitary districts, a method of collecting outstanding debts.

The entities submit their outstanding debts to the Debt Setoff Clearinghouse. These debts are sent to the N.C. Department of Revenue and compared with lists of anyone set to receive an income tax refund or lottery winnings. If a match is found, the DoR first pays off the debt before sending any money to the taxpayer.

According to statistics from Five Star, 93 counties and 23 county agencies are actively participating in the program for 2010.

Through Aug. 3, counties and county agencies – led by Mecklenburg EMS ($2,121,299), Mecklenburg County ($1,862,436) and Gaston County ($1,491,147) – collected almost $18 million in outstanding debt in 2010. Since the program's inception in 2002, more than $75 million has been returned to counties and county agencies.

Workshops will include two sessions, and attendees may attend either or both sessions. Morning sessions, which run from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., are designed for new participants. Afternoon sessions, which run from 1 – 3 p.m., are designed for all participants.

Dates and locations are listed below. Visit www.ncsetoff.org for a detailed agenda. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Online registration is available on the Debt Setoff Clearinghouse Web site.