Kinston City Council to consider 2026-27 budget, rezoning request and repair program
Kinston City Council is scheduled to consider adoption of the city’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget during its regular meeting Tuesday, June 16.
The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 207 E. King St. It will also be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel, @thecityofkinston, and available on KTV, the local government channel 2.
The proposed annual budget totals $116.3 million after subtracting internal service funds. The full appropriations summary totals $126.6 million before the internal service fund adjustment.
The budget ordinance sets the city’s property tax rate at 69 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, a 4-cent reduction from the current rate. The budget is based on an estimated taxable property value of about $2.08 billion and an estimated collection rate of 96.27%.
In a letter to the mayor and council, Interim City Manager Ralph Clark said several adjustments were added after a June 2 public hearing. Those additions include $42,000 for replacement light poles at Barnett Park, $17,000 for Mock Gym, $25,000 for organizational support, $55,800 for street resurfacing, and additional funding for Fire Department contract costs, mayor and council travel, and training.
Clark said the budget does not recommend increases to water, sewer, electric, stormwater or solid waste collection fees. Although the city expects electric rate increases from its supplier during the fiscal year, Clark wrote that city staff is not recommending passing those increases on to customers.
Council also will hold a public hearing and consider a rezoning request for 708 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The request, submitted by David Edwards on behalf of Trade Land Company LLC, would rezone the property from I-1 industrial to B-1 general business.
According to city planning documents, the property formerly operated as a convenience store with gasoline sales and is currently vacant. Staff said the prior use was legally nonconforming under the industrial zoning district. The Planning Board recommended approval May 12, and planning staff said the request is consistent with the city’s comprehensive land use plan.
Council is also scheduled to consider a fiscal year 2025-26 operating budget amendment. The amendment includes additional appropriations for law enforcement fleet maintenance and fuel, recreation expenses, and transfers tied to road improvements and project closeouts.
A related item would amend the Transportation Infrastructure Projects capital project by adding $830,400 for street resurfacing. According to a memo from Public Services Director Steve Miller, the city received bids for the 2026 Road Improvement Project, and the lowest bid came in above the amount budgeted. Work is expected to begin in July and be completed in October.
Council will also consider closing several completed grant and capital projects, including projects tied to downtown murals, housing rehabilitation, COVID-19 response, neighborhood revitalization, police grants and stormwater inventory work.
Another item would allow the city to accept a conditional $137,500 award through the 2027 Urgent Repair Program. The program is intended to help up to eight very low-income homeowners in the city address housing conditions that pose imminent threats to life or safety, with a focus on elderly residents, people with disabilities, veterans and households at risk of displacement.
City staff plans to hold public information sessions for the Urgent Repair Program at 5:30 p.m. June 25 in the City Hall Council Chambers and at 9:30 a.m. June 27 at the Georgia K. Battle Community Center.
Other agenda items include consideration of landscape and maintenance bids for city complexes, cemeteries, grounds and rights of way, as well as the proposed purchase of a used 2024 Freightliner rear loader garbage truck for $210,000.
The council also is expected to receive reminders about the Juneteenth Parade, the Juneteenth Food Truck Rally and upcoming downtown filming tied to a project showcasing North Carolina Main Street communities.
