The Kinston City Council met for a Budget Worksession on May 24, 2021, wherein a four-to-one vote they approved their own salary increase of $18,000 total per year and the mayor’s $3,600 per year raise ahead of the June 15th City Council meeting. The City of Kinston is expected to increase property taxes by $0.04 per $100 valuation at that meeting.

As this was a budget work session, there is no video of the off-site meeting, but an audio recording is attached. This vote was the only one taken during the four-hour budget meeting. During the same session, the previously reported dry-cleaning allowance line item was removed by the consensus of the mayor and board.

“I don’t think any mayor has had a dry-cleaning allowance,” said Councilmember Robert Swinson IV. 

Mayor Pro Tem Solomon questioned the timing of including a pay raise for the council in the same budget that raised property taxes. 

“In good conscience, I just don’t know how we can support a salary increase,” said Solomon. “Right now we’re talking about raising taxes to get more funds in that General Fund.”

She mentioned that they should look toward considering the use of COVID funds. Other council members had differing opinions.

“When you are talking about attrition and keeping good people and make sure you have good people stay,” said Councilmember Sammy Aiken. “I’ve been on the council that I know of getting the same pay ever since I’ve been here.”

Aiken explained how the council performed during the COVID-19 pandemic outside of their normal job duties. 

“Money is not an issue for me,” said Councilmember Antonio Hardy. “I believe every human being deserves to be paid for what they’re worth, and this has been a job.”

“No one will ever see the worth or the value of the work and hours that we put in,” said Solomon. “Sometimes there are sacrifices that have to be made. When we are talking about raising taxes to get out of a funk and build the general fund for this city. We’re definitely worth it, but we’re talking about raising taxes.”

“There are always tough decisions to make in life, and it's not going to please everybody,” said Councilmember Hardy.

Solomon went on to explain that she didn’t feel it was necessary to increase the council members’ salaries when other city jobs weren’t competitive, and she referenced city sanitation workers and law enforcement for example. 

“You’re going to get slapped regardless,” said Councilmember Kristal Suggs. “You’re going to get slapped just because it's presented in the budget. $21,000 overall is less than the equivalent of the least paid staff person in the city.”

According to the draft minutes of the Budget Meeting, Councilman Aiken made a motion in favor of the mayor’s and council’s raises, seconded by Councilmember Hardy. The motion was approved four to one with only Solomon voting against it. 

The city council should vote on the proposed budget on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, with the work session at 5:30 pm and the City Council Meeting at 7:00 pm. This meeting can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/KinstonCityHall.