Kinston High School champions recognized at Kinston council meeting, pay study approved
The Kinston City Council approved a compensation and classification study for implementation in the fiscal year 2027 budget, adopted a budget amendment, advanced infrastructure items and approved community events during its regular meeting Tuesday, March 17, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 207 E. King St.
The published agenda included presentations on “Strides” for Diabetes, action on employee compensation, water tank maintenance, street resurfacing, the FY2025-2026 operating budget amendment, a special event request for the Young Professionals Kickball Tournament, Riverwalk Phase II, an electric customer survey, annual water system chlorine conversion and the appointment of Rickey Tah’Ron Cannon to the Neuse Regional Library Board.
One of the night’s most significant votes came on the city’s compensation and classification study. Human Resources Director Tiffany Smith told council the study found several city positions lagging the market, particularly in fire service, sanitation and skilled trades. The staff recommendation called for approval of a full market adjustment for the FY27 budget, not an immediate pay change that night. The presentation showed a total estimated base salary impact of $1,248,093 across city funds.
During discussion, council members focused on low wages for sanitation and part-time workers. Smith said the study addresses internal inequities and pay compression, including situations where longtime employees were making amounts close to new hires. Interim City Manager Ralph Clark said the city was reviewing investment strategy changes and internal budget adjustments to help support the added cost.
Council unanimously approved the compensation and classification study. During the discussion, members also folded in a parks and recreation salary-related item before the vote.
Council also approved an eight-year contract for maintenance of the city’s potable water storage tanks. Public Services Director Steve Miller said the contract covers annual painting, inspections, washouts, cleaning and disinfection for seven elevated tanks and one ground tank. The city received three proposals, and Miller said Utility Service Group Water Solutions submitted the lowest cost proposal while also including lead abatement work on one tank. Council approved the contract at an annual cost of $231,976.
On paving, council approved consensus for the 2026 street resurfacing list after Miller presented a revised proposal aimed at keeping the project within budget. The original list exceeded available funds, so staff recommended moving some lower-ranked streets to alternate status. Miller said Greenbrier Road was already on the main list, while Harrison Road and Jefferson Drive would be added as alternates if bids come in low enough.
Council also approved the FY2025-2026 operating budget amendment presented by Finance Director Donna Goodson. The amendment increases the General Fund by $106,900 and the Kinston Community Center Fund by $59,000. The changes include $101,900 in insurance proceeds for replacement of two police vehicles, $5,000 in donations for recreation program supplies, $13,000 for additional natural gas expense at the Kinston Community Center and $46,000 for repairs and maintenance at Lions Water Adventure.
Police Chief Keith Goyette said the vehicle replacement request was tied to recent patrol fleet losses caused by traffic collisions. Council members also discussed follow-up driver training for officers involved in crashes, with Goyette saying additional training is required under department policy when an officer is at fault.
Two special event requests were approved during the meeting. The published agenda included the Young Professionals Kickball Tournament, scheduled for April 25 at Fairfield Park. During the meeting, council also took up and approved an additional request for a March 28 event by the North Carolina Climate Justice Collective at the Kinston Enterprise Center parking lot. That second item was added during the meeting and did not appear on the published agenda.
On a more celebratory note, Moore recognized the Kinston High School basketball team for winning a state championship and also gave a nod to the Kinston football team for reaching its championship game. He said the city plans a more formal recognition for the basketball team later.
In the presentations portion of the meeting, Sharon Axelberg, executive director of Lions Industries for the Blind, spoke about the upcoming “Strides” for Diabetes event, a free March 28 walkathon and mini health fair at the Kinston Community Center. Moore also issued a proclamation recognizing March 28, 2026, as “STRIDES” Lions for Diabetes Awareness Day.
Council also heard several informational updates. Miller said Riverwalk Phase II, which would connect the Kinston Community Center area to Atlantic Avenue, remains in design. He warned that the project schedule may overlap with the city’s Upper Neuse sewer work, creating the possibility that some sections may need to be removed and rebuilt later if the work cannot be sequenced properly.
Miller also promoted the city’s electric customer survey and announced the annual chlorine conversion for the water system. He said the temporary switch from chloramines to free chlorine is part of routine system maintenance and pipe cleaning, and some customers may notice a stronger chlorine smell during the process.
In his report, Clark said the city manager search is underway and is expected to take about four and a half months, with the process projected to wrap up near the end of June. He also said the city is working to improve how council members are notified about major incidents after some members said they were not promptly informed about recent police vehicle crashes.
Clark also pointed to several longer-term issues he believes the city should address, including fund balance policy, enterprise fund reserves, investment strategy, capital improvement planning, nuisance structure demolition and junk vehicle enforcement. He said the city is also in discussions with Lenoir County about a joint effort to address dilapidated structures along major corridors.
Before adjournment, council approved the appointment of Rickey Tah’Ron Cannon to the Neuse Regional Library Board.
