Kinston City Council discusses the proposed budget L-R: Councilwoman Kristal Suggs, City Manager Tony Sears, Mayor Don Hardy, Mayor Pro Tem Felicia Solomon, Councilman Joe Tyson, Councilman Sammy Aiken Photo by Catherine Hardee / Neuse News

The Kinston City Council approved a budget for the next fiscal year and adopted a new ordinance regarding food trucks at its Monday night meeting.

The Council voted unanimously to approve the budget which includes a $.03 property tax increase to pay for a four percent raise for city employees. City manager Tony Sears said at the work session held prior to the meeting the pay increase was the cornerstone of the budget.

During the work session, Sears detailed the reasons for the pay raise and explained that the city experienced a drop in revenue after the county property revaluation several years ago. The property tax increase, which will be used to finance employee raises, brings expected tax revenues back to the levels of previous years, Sears said.

Another item discussed during the work session was the addition of the purchase of a stump grinder to the budget. The stump grinder will cost $60,000 to purchase, but Sears informed the council it will pay for itself within two years since the city will not have to pay a contractor.

The council voted to amend the proposed budget to include the stump grinder, and moved to a public hearing on the proposed budget. No members of the public chose to comment on the budget, so the council moved to a vote on the budget. All members of the council voted in favor of the proposed budget.

Another item of business addressed during the meeting was the adoption of an addition to the city’s food truck ordinance. The council voted to approve the ordinance that blocks food trucks from parking on Herritage Street or Queen Street without special, prior approval from the City Council.

The council also discussed an offer to purchase two vacant lots owned by the city which are currently part of the Adopt-a-Vacant-Lot Program run by Kinston Teens. Councilwoman Kristal Suggs asked the council to consider a policy that would not accept offers to purchase lots which are a part of the program.