The Kinston City Council passed the proposed Fiscal Year 2022-2023 budget Tuesday evening. The budget included increased salaries for the mayor and the city council and funding to increase the hourly rate of part-time city employees. This was the third year in a row the council attempted to give themselves increased salaries. Council member Robbie Swinson voted against the increased mayor and council salaries both times it came for a vote Tuesday.

“No utility increases and no property tax increases,” said Rhonda Barwick, the interim city manager.

Council member Felicia Solomon made an initial motion to approve the proposed budget but to exclude the increased salaries for the mayor and the council members. The motion was seconded by Swinson.

“When it comes to issues about finance,” said Solomon, “I’m often concerned about spending. We all are.”

In 2020, the council attempted to vote for an increased pay salaries for the mayor and the council. In May of 2021, city council members voted to approve their own salary increases. In June of 2021, the city council passed the budget without any increase in salaries for the mayor or council. Former mayor and Neuse News Publisher BJ Murphy wrote an op-ed about the council’s continued efforts to increase their salaries in June of 2021.

“It seems like this comes up every year around this time frame,” said council member Sammy Aiken. “We get $600 a month as the city council. $600 a month isn’t the same as it was in 1983.”

Aiken, council member Chris Suggs and Mayor Pro Tem Antonio Hardy voted against Solomon’s motion.

“We know this as a public servant, but I can tell you from the president all the way down to the lowest person in politics, they get a raise,” said Hardy.

A subsequent motion was introduced by Suggs and seconded by Aiken to approve the budget with the increase in salaries for the mayor and city council and the funding for part-time city employees. This motion passed with Solomon, Aiken, Suggs, and Hardy for the motion and Swinson against.

“I think the current council deserves a raise and especially the mayor,” said Aiken.

Highlights of the approved city budget include:

FY 22-23 Managers Recommended Budget

• Road resurfacing is funded at $200,000 and $50,000 has been included to complete the next phase of Hardee Road Rehabilitation.

• Kinston Community Center’s budget includes the first of 15 payments ($10,000 each) to reimburse the Electric Fund for the slide rehabilitation project.

• Water Fund includes the first of 10 payments ($328,319) to reimburse the Electric Fund for its share of the SmartGrid Project.

• Requesting additional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator position in the Sewer Fund to allow 24/7 operation of the Biosolids Dryer for increased efficiency.

• Includes Part-time position in City Clerk’s Office as requested during budget work sessions.

•  Continued funding for a Public Information Officer has been moved from the City Council’s budget to the City Manager’s Office budget per Council consensus during budget work sessions.

•  As was presented during the budget work session our current provider of health care services recently notified the City of a significant increase in occupational health care. The consensus of the Council was to continue occupational health care to our employees. Our Human Resources Director has evaluated the proposed contract increase against an in-house City Nurse. The comparison revealed a $14,000 per year cost savings if the City hired the nurse instead. The recommended budget includes funds for the contract which can be transferred to the salaries account to fill the position. The Position Allocation Summary included reflects this new FTE.

•  Queen Street maintenance contract can be extended for FY23 using the remaining funds in the Queen Street Streetscape Project. To continue this contract beyond FY23 will require inclusion in the annual operating budget for FY24.

•  Budget allows for the financing of General Fund rolling stock in the amount of $760,000. This continues the City’s practice of obtaining a loan for rolling stock every other fiscal year. This includes the purchase of 12 additional Police vehicles and other vehicles to be financed.

•  American Rescue Plan funds provided for several much-needed capital improvements and equipment. However, many needs still exist.

•  Includes $50,000 for demolition to continue our neighborhood beautification efforts.

•  Includes $50,000 to continue the contract with UNC-Development Finance Initiative to complete existing economic development projects and attract future investment.