Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter and staying connected with the latest news from District Nine and our efforts in the General Assembly.
All in Politics
Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter and staying connected with the latest news from District Nine and our efforts in the General Assembly.
Kinston City Council tabled a rezoning request near Grainger Stadium and approved a conditional special use permit for a convenience store with a kitchen at 515 N. Queen St. during a lengthy meeting Tuesday.
The hearing turned tense when Mayor Kareem Moore ordered one speaker removed after comments directed at Interim City Manager Ralph Clark.
Lenoir County commissioners appear likely to consider a one-cent property tax reduction as they move toward adoption of the county’s FY 2026-27 budget, following a June 1 work session that centered on taxpayer relief, capital projects, school funding, transit costs and long-term financial planning.
TRENTON — The Jones County Board of Commissioners rejected a proposed Fire Protection Service District on Monday after residents and commissioners raised concerns about how the tax would be structured, how the money would be distributed and whether the public had enough information before a decision.
Lenoir County currently has a 3.5% unemployment rate, and the median income is just over $45,000. Legislation is moving through Congress that would hand Washington bureaucrats sweeping new authority over workplace contracts in eastern North Carolina and across the nation. As a conservative, I see this as disastrous, but this bill should gravely concern you regardless of your political affiliation. It will empower union bosses and unaccountable government arbitrators at the expense of workers and businesses alike.
The Lenoir County Board of Education meeting Monday included pointed questions about the district’s financial condition after board members raised concerns about comments reportedly made to county officials during budget discussions.
MAYSVILLE — The Town of Maysville’s proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget would keep the town’s property tax rate unchanged while increasing water and sewer rates, raising several local fees, adding part-time staffing and using fund balance to support operations.
Jones County Manager Kyle A. Smith has presented a proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 budget that would keep the countywide property tax rate unchanged while adding a new dedicated fire protection tax.
Greene County commissioners used a recent FY 2026-2027 budget workshop to question spending priorities, employee raises, utility fees, recreation concerns, landfill planning and whether the county should continue funding a lobbyist contract.
Greene County Manager Kyle DeHaven has presented a proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 budget that keeps the county’s property tax rate steady while recommending several fee increases, salary adjustments and targeted spending changes.
Kinston departments requested more than $4.6 million in capital outlay for fiscal year 2026-27, but the manager’s recommended budget funds about $3.9 million.
Lenoir County commissioners discussed the future of the county’s transit system during their FY 2026-27 budget workshop, including a proposed general fund contribution for the first time.
Kinston’s recommended budget for fiscal year 2026-27 proposes a lower property tax rate, no increases to major utility rates and the implementation of a new pay and classification plan for city employees.
A proposed renovation of the Lenoir County Courthouse became one of the major points of debate during the county commissioners’ FY 2026-27 budget workshop, as board members weighed building needs against concerns about taxpayer burden.
Lenoir County Manager Michael James recommended increasing Lenoir County Public Schools’ operational allocation to $11 million during the county commissioners’ FY 2026-27 budget workshop.
Kinston property owners would see a lower city tax rate under the recommended fiscal year 2026-27 budget, but the actual savings will depend on each property’s assessed value.
Lenoir County commissioners reviewed a proposed FY 2026-27 budget that would maintain the county’s current property tax rate while funding employee pay adjustments, public safety, school operations, transit needs and several capital priorities.
The public is hereby advised that per G.S. 159-12, the Interim City Manager has submitted the proposed budget for the City of Kinston for FY 2026-2027 to the Mayor and the City Council. A copy of the proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027 is on file in the office of the City Clerk, the Public Library and on the City of Kinston's website, www.kinstonnc.gov. The budget is available for public inspection during normal business hours untilthe budget ordinance is adopted. The City Clerk's office is located in City Hall at 207 E. King Street, Kinston, North Carolina.
Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D., celebrates the passage of his bill, H.R. 8163, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act, in the House Ways and Means Committee. This legislation modernizes and updates the underlying mechanics of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) to improve stability for physicians and their patients.
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