All tagged city of kinston
Property taxes and neighborhood conditions dominated Tuesday night’s Kinston City Council meeting, where residents voiced frustrations over rising costs before council members approved several measures, including a downtown master plan proposal and a new city investment policy.
Downtown Kinston Revitalization has been awarded a Downtown Revitalization grant from ElectriCities to support the redesign of the Buddy and Mary Mac Ritch All-American City Park. The overall project will involve aesthetic and functional enhancements like benches, tree planting, lighting along the railway, an internally-lit sculpture, a sensory path, and new signage.
Local business owner and scientist Milton Foster is running for Kinston City Council, bringing two decades of residency, professional experience, and a data-driven mindset to his first bid for public office. Foster said his campaign is focused on practical solutions to issues like taxes, property values, and economic development.
Mayor Don Hardy is seeking a third term leading the City of Kinston, emphasizing his continued focus on public safety, affordable housing, and infrastructure improvement. A U.S. Navy veteran, longtime law enforcement officer, and Kinston native, Hardy says his record of service and experience positions him to keep building on the city’s recent progress.
Kareem Moore, a U.S. Army combat veteran and advocate for veterans’ affairs, has announced his candidacy for Mayor of Kinston, pledging to restore accountability, rebuilding trust in local government, and strengthening the city’s economic foundation through homeownership, job creation, and transparency.
Kinston residents could soon see lower electric bills as city officials move forward with a proposed 4% rate reduction, the first in several years. The change, which follows a cost of service study by Booth & Associates, will be the subject of a public hearing on Oct. 7 at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall.
If council adopts the proposal that night, the new rates will take effect Oct. 15. For the average household, that means about $6 off the monthly bill.
Kinston City Council and Lenoir County commissioners have both approved the Tax Incentive for Downtown Enhancement (TIDE) program, their first joint initiative through the new City–County Joint Working Committee.
The Kinston City Council’s most recent meeting blended recognition, sharp public criticism, and a major redevelopment proposal for one of the city’s largest industrial properties.
After a case of West Nile virus was confirmed in Lenoir County last week, city and county officials outlined different approaches to mosquito control.
A debt that has weighed on Kinston, La Grange and 30 other eastern North Carolina communities for more than four decades has finally been retired.
The North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency (NCEMPA) first issued $3.2 billion in debt in 1982 to buy ownership stakes in power plants, securing long-term electricity for its member cities. That decision gave towns like Kinston more control over power supply, but it also left them with some of the highest electric rates in North Carolina.
The City of Kinston and the Kinston Police Department have both adopted moderated social media policies that set boundaries for public comments on official posts.
A message from the Chief of Police:
"It is with deep concern and disappointment that I confirm a former officer of the Kinston Police Department has been arrested by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation in connection with an alleged theft. This matter is now under active investigation by the SBI, and we are fully cooperating with their efforts.
The City of Kinston has kicked off its annual street resurfacing project, with nearly 30 street sections scheduled for repair over the next few months, Public Services Director Steve Miller said in an interview this week.
In a move aimed at strengthening collaboration and spurring regional growth, the City of Kinston and Lenoir County Government held the inaugural meeting of their newly formed Joint Working Committee this week.
The Annual Plan of the Housing Authority of the City of Kinston North Carolina is available for review for 45 days beginning July 30, 2025 at the Central Office of the Authority located at 608 North Queen Street, Kinston, North Carolina and all Public Housing Manager’s Offices.
The City of Kinston is entering a transformative phase of infrastructure investment, with more than 30 of the city’s 40 maintained streets scheduled for resurfacing beginning the week of July 13, 2025, weather permitting.
The Kinston City Council adopted its annual budget ordinance for the fiscal year 2025-2026 Tuesday, following a public comment period that highlighted community concerns about property taxes and the allocation of city funds. The approved budget includes an increase of more than $3,000,000 in Ad Valorem tax revenues.
I feel compelled to address recent statements made by Lenoir County Commissioner Keith King and North Carolina House Representative Chris Humphrey regarding the City of Kinston’s proposed FY26 Budget and property tax rate. As the Mayor of Kinston, I believe the public deserves a clearer and more complete understanding of the facts, particularly those that were not fully explained or were presented without proper context.
I would like to personally thank Mr. Keith King, Mr. Lew Blevins, Mrs. Carol Blevins, Mr. Glen Olds and Ms. Glenda Thomas for taking the time to speak out at the recent Kinston City Council public hearing regarding the proposed property tax increase. As your representative in the North Carolina House, I want you to know that I stand with you in your concerns. I have shared my concerns with both Mayor Don Hardy and Mayor Pro Tem "Pearl" Hardy.
Kinston residents voiced frustration over rising property taxes and utility fees during a lengthy City Council meeting Tuesday evening, as city officials laid out a proposed $133 million budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year and celebrated the accomplishments of municipal employees.
