Jun 7

Jun 7 Letter to the Editor: Correcting misconceptions about Kinston’s FY26 Budget

Dear Editor,

I feel compelled to address recent statements made by Lenoir County Commissioner Keith King and North Carolina House Representative Chris Humphrey regarding the City of Kinston’s proposed FY26 Budget and property tax rate. As the Mayor of Kinston, I believe the public deserves a clearer and more complete understanding of the facts, particularly those that were not fully explained or were presented without proper context.

Both the City and the County have just completed a property revaluation. While the County experienced a 73% increase in property values, the City of Kinston saw a significantly smaller increase of 38.65%. That difference has major implications.

Despite both the County and the City proposing tax rate reductions, the final revenue outcomes are vastly different. The County’s proposed tax rate of 67.5 cents will generate over $43.7 million in Ad Valorem revenue. In contrast, the City of Kinston’s proposed tax rate of 73 cents, while slightly higher generates only $14.67 million. The reason is clear: the City’s smaller increase in total property value limits our revenue potential, even with a higher rate.

It’s important to stress this point: the tax rate is only one part of the equation. Any honest discussion about taxes must also consider the total assessed property value on which those rates are based. The County simply has a much larger base to work from, which allows them to reduce their rate more substantially while still gaining new revenue. The City of Kinston, with fewer resources and a lower valuation increase, must take a more measured approach to maintain essential services like public safety, sanitation, and infrastructure improvements.

In addition, I must raise concern over House Bill 539, a piece of legislation co-sponsored by Representative Chris Humphrey. This bill proposes shifting sales tax revenues in a way that would hurt rural municipalities like Kinston and counties like Lenoir. If enacted, HB 539 would redistribute local sales tax revenues away from where they are generated rural cities and counties and toward larger, more populous areas. This is deeply troubling.

Kinston and Lenoir County already face enough challenges. We should be working together to strengthen our communities, not supporting legislation that would make it even harder for small towns and rural counties to survive and thrive. HB 539 does not benefit our city or our county it undermines the local control and financial stability we depend on to serve our citizens.

I encourage our residents to seek out the full picture. Budget decisions, tax policies, and legislative proposals must be evaluated on their real-world impact, not just political soundbites. Our focus in Kinston has always been on transparency, fiscal responsibility, and improving quality of life for our residents. We remain committed to doing what is right, even when the conversation becomes difficult.

Sincerely,
Mayor Dontario “Don” Hardy
City of Kinston, North Carolina

Neuse News is a locally-owned small business startup in downtown Kinston. Our goal is to provide free, hyper-local news to Lenoir, Greene and Jones counties. The kind of news our grandparents read in a format fit for today's times.

We provide this by having supportive advertisers and we encourage you to click on their ads, shop with them, and eat with them. Every bit of financial support is important to help us sustain free, hyper-local news.

Please consider supporting Neuse News with as little as $5 one-time or via a monthly option. Every little bit helps us, help you.