Kinston City Council hears youth program pleas, approves utility projects and equipment purchases
Kinston City Council’s August 5 meeting mixed emotional public comment with a full slate of utility upgrades, vehicle and equipment purchases, and community updates. Mayor Pro Tem Antonio Hardy presided in Mayor Don Hardy’s absence.
Citizens urge support for youth media camp
Four speakers — Resita Cox, students Giovanni Jones and John Muir McKnight, and camp staffer Alexis Bell — called on the city to reconsider denying funding for the Freedom Hill Youth Media Camp. The program, they said, pays local teens to learn filmmaking, connects them with national professionals, and has inspired graduates to pursue college film programs.
Cox criticized what she described as a $15 million police budget compared to a $4,000 community fund, urging the city to invest more in youth programs to prevent crime. In reality, the city’s adopted FY25–26 budget shows the Police Department’s share is significantly less than $15 million. That figure is reached only when police and fire funding are combined. Students shared personal stories of how the camp influenced their goals and called the council’s funding decision “crazy” and “sad.”
Resident Tony Kinsey thanked Parks and Recreation and the police department for supporting a recent bike giveaway but urged consistent community outrage over all violent crimes, not just high profile incidents.
Recognitions and introductions
The council honored the Kinston/Lenoir County 10U All-Star Girls Softball Team for winning the state Dixie Youth championship and placing second in the World Series.
Police Chief Keith Goyette announced the department’s recognition as North Carolina Law Enforcement Agency of the Year for its volunteer-driven cold case unit.
Public Services introduced UNC–Chapel Hill graduate Malaika Schroff as a Lead for North Carolina Fellow. She will work for a year on projects including flood mitigation, lead service line inventory, grant applications, and street safety planning.
Budget actions and utility projects approved
Council approved the annual property tax collection report (98.47 percent collected), a budget amendment for outstanding purchase orders and insurance adjustments, and several major capital projects:
City Hall emergency generator switch gear replacement, $250,000
Vernon Avenue transmission pole replacement, $955,818
Electric POD #1 upgrades, $690,000
Cunningham Substation transformer replacement, $2 million
Substation fiber loop expansion, $159,500
Peak load reduction improvements, $3 million
Public safety purchases and grants
Council authorized buying 10 new police vehicles for $435,000, plus $145,000 in upfitting, replacing high mileage and inoperable units. They also approved a $629,073 five year no interest contract for new Axon body worn and in car cameras, which will be replaced after two years at no cost.
The city accepted a $16,500 Governor’s Highway Safety Program grant for overtime traffic enforcement and training.
Special events
Street closures and support were approved for an August 16 Back to School Bash at Best Cathedral of Fresh Fire Church and the October 18 Mother Earth Brewing Ironclad Half Marathon and 5K.
Department updates
Public Services reported $1.4 million in street resurfacing underway in 30 locations, with notices to residents to move vehicles.
The Planning Department launched animated videos explaining grass height ordinances, how to file complaints, and the code enforcement process. Six condemned properties are scheduled for demolition, with liens to be placed for cost recovery.
Council comments
Members shared ideas from recent conferences, including using cameras to deter illegal dumping, and discussed shifting National Night Out to October for cooler weather. Hardy suggested initiating dialogue between community leaders and police.
The meeting concluded with a closed session for legal and economic development matters.
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