All tagged city of kinston

Kinston, La Grange and other cities pay off electric debt, future rate impacts uncertain

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.

Letter to the Editor: Correcting misconceptions about Kinston’s FY26 Budget

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.

Letter to the Editor: Humphrey voices support for Kinston residents opposing city tax increase

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.

Public Notice: Notice of Public hearing City of Kinston FY 2025-2026 budget

The public is hereby advised that per G.S. 159-12, the City Manager has submitted the proposed budget for the City of Kinston for FY 2025-2026 to the Mayor and the City Council. A copy of the proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026 is on file in the office of the City Clerk, the Public Library and on the City of Kinston's website, www.kinstonnc.gov.

City of Kinston Proposes $133M Budget for FY 2025-2026

The City of Kinston has unveiled its proposed budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, totaling just over $133 million, up from $120 million last year. The proposed general operating property tax rate for FY 2025-2026 is $0.73 cents per $100 of assessed value, down from $0.77 cents the previous year. This comes on the heels of Lenoir County completing a county wide property revaluation. The proposed rate remains higher than the revenue-neutral rate of $0.5994 cents.

Kinston reports wastewater spill due to power outage on Forrest Street

The City of Kinston reported a discharge of 13,250 gallons of untreated wastewater on February 16, 2025, due to a power outage at the Forrest Street lift station. Approximately 5,000 gallons entered the Adkin Branch floodway. City crews managed the situation with bypass pumps and are working on repairs and recovery efforts. The Division of Water Resources has been notified and is reviewing the incident.