Kinston City Council approves $7,500-per-month lobbying contract ahead of council transition
The Kinston City Council voted Dec. 2 to approve a contract committing the city to pay $7,500 per month for lobbying services, a decision made before newly elected council members were sworn in and seated.
The council approved an agreement with Checkmate Government Relations LLC to represent the city’s interests before the North Carolina General Assembly and other state and federal entities. The contract carries an annual cost of $90,000, beginning Feb. 1, 2026, not including required lobbyist registration fees and reimbursable expenses.
“To compete with larger cities, we need someone in Raleigh and Washington every day. This is about bringing resources home to Kinston,” said outgoing Kinston Mayor Dontario Hardy.
The vote occurred during the final weeks of the outgoing council’s term. Newly elected council members who were scheduled to be sworn in that day did not participate in the vote.
The agreement is dated Nov. 24, 2025, and was signed by the mayor on behalf of the city on December 16, 2025. Under the contract, Checkmate will provide consulting, monitoring, and government relations services related to state policy and legislative matters. The agreement does not guarantee outcomes and allows for additional costs related to memberships, sponsorships, or outside consultants if recommended by the firm.
The lobbying contract was not listed as a standalone action item on the publicly posted agenda. During the meeting, one council member raised concerns about approving a long-term contract during a council transition and proposed delaying the vote until the incoming council was seated.
“It’s only fair that the incoming council review a contract of this size and importance,” said councilmember Felicia Solomon.
That motion did not advance.
Residents addressing the council during public comment raised concerns about crime, homelessness, rising taxes, and government transparency. Several speakers urged the city to prioritize public safety and housing needs while increasing oversight of city spending.
Either party may terminate the lobbying contract with 30 days’ written notice. The agreement includes confidentiality provisions and requires compliance with state and federal ethics and lobbying regulations.
The City of Kinston has not publicly released performance benchmarks or reporting requirements outlining how success under the lobbying contract will be measured.
The council recessed the Dec. 2 meeting rather than adjourning, scheduling a continuation for Dec. 16 to swear in newly elected members. However, the 2025 Municipal Election was still pending an appeal, which will be held on December 17th by the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
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