Kinston council hears calls to lower property tax rate amid homeowner frustration
Kinston residents packed City Hall on Oct. 21 to demand relief from steep property tax bills, calling on the City Council to use its authority to lower the tax rate following this year’s countywide revaluation.
Resident Raine Tyndall told the council her tax bill tripled despite assurances from city officials that most homeowners would see an average increase of about $400. She said her property’s appraised value doubled, but her actual tax bill rose by 300 percent. Tyndall urged council members to reduce the rate to a revenue-neutral level under North Carolina General Statute 159-15, which she said gives local governments the authority to amend their budgets and adjust tax levies before January 1 if revenues exceed expectations.
“This is not a variance. This is a radical financial discrepancy that impacts fixed incomes, working families, and the financial stability of our community,” Tyndall said. “I ask that you fulfill your legal duty under GS 159-15 and adjust the current tax rate.”
The state law she cited allows local governments to amend their budget ordinances before January 1 if they receive “substantially more or less revenue than was anticipated.” While the statute does not automatically require a change, it grants councils discretion to lower or raise the rate in response to large, unforeseen shifts in revenue. Whether Kinston’s revaluation meets that standard will depend on legal interpretation.
Councilwoman Felicia Solomon raised similar concerns later in the meeting, saying residents were blindsided by the impact of the revaluation and urged the council to reconsider the rate. “Our decision was made because we thought it was going to be, on average, a $400 sting. People are experiencing a lot more than that,” she said. “We have until January 1 if we’re going to reduce the property tax rate, and I think we need to look at that.”
Councilman Chris Suggs asked the city attorney to research the statute and provide clarity, saying he wanted to ensure the council fully understood its legal options. “If Mr. Jim, our city attorney, could research and provide some clarity on the general statute that allows it, I do think it’s worth a conversation,” he said.
Mayor Pro Tem Antonio Hardy echoed the need for further review but also pointed to the broader economic strain residents are facing. He cited potential federal cuts to SNAP benefits and other programs that could affect Kinston families and said the council must stay mindful of the cumulative impact of rising costs.
Mayor Don Hardy said he shared residents’ concerns and asked the city attorney to deliver a written interpretation of the law for council review. He also noted that while state and federal lawmakers have not passed new budgets, local governments must continue to respond to residents’ needs with the resources available.
The council did not take action on the tax rate but agreed to revisit the issue once the legal review is complete. Residents and several council members said they hope the city will act before the January 1 deadline if the statute allows it.
“The voices of the people and the reality we are living show how difficult this is for families,” Solomon said. “People need help, and they need it now.”
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