All tagged kristal suggs

Recusal dispute at City Council meeting over property transfer to Kinston Teens

Recusal dispute at City Council meeting over property transfer to Kinston Teens

Kristy Kelly
Local News, Politics

At the City Council meeting on July 20, 2021, the council voted 3-1 to transfer eight properties from the City of Kinston to Kinston Teens, a youth-led nonprofit organization. City Councilmember Sammy Aiken disputed Councilmember Kristal Suggs’ ability to vote as she is the Kinston Teens Chairperson. “I have consulted with Councilwoman Suggs with her roles with the Kinston Teens and whether it was appropriate for her to be excused from voting. In my opinion, she is obligated to vote,” said City Attorney James P. Cauley, III.

Kinston City Planner takes job with Lenoir County, third departure in three months

Kinston City Planner takes job with Lenoir County, third departure in three months

Kristy Kelly
Local News

In March of 2021, the Kinston Police Department Chief Tim Dilday announced his intent to retire after 27 years with the department. Earlier this month, City Manager Tony Sears announced his intention to leave the City of Kinston after almost a decade and assume a new role in Wilson. In another loss for the City of Kinston, Lenoir County has hired City Planner Adam Short as the Assistant to the County Manager / Planning Director to lead strategic planning and inspections.

Kinston City Council passes budget without raises for mayor or councilmembers

Kinston City Council passes budget without raises for mayor or councilmembers

Kristy Kelly
Politics, Local News

On June 15, 2021, Kinston’s City Council voted to approve the proposed 2021-2022 budget, which included a four-cent property tax increase. The budget did not include the proposed salary increase for the city council members or the mayor. During the meeting, Councilmember Robert Swinson made a motion to remove the salary increases from the proposed budget, which was seconded by Solomon. The motion passed with Solomon, Swinson, and Councilmember Kristal Suggs voting for the budget without the salary increases, and Councilmembers Antonio Hardy and Sammy Aiken voting against it.

“I will sleep well tonight knowing that we made the right decision to not approve the salary increase for the Council,” said Mayor Pro Tem Felicia Solomon.

BJ Murphy: Kinston City Council can make amends Tuesday evening

BJ Murphy: Kinston City Council can make amends Tuesday evening

BJ Murphy
Columns, Politics, Local News

Sadly for the second year in a row, the Kinston City Council has sought these personal increases, yet this year's discussion is distracting from the fact that they are also raising property taxes. The cost to the taxpayers if approved would be $670,000. Despite the fact the Kinston City Council has already voted on their increases, they could amend the budget tonight, by stripping the salaries and allowances back to the FY20 funding and passing a revised budget.

Update: City Council members voted to approve their own salary increases in May

Update: City Council members voted to approve their own salary increases in May

Kristy Kelly
Politics

The Kinston City Council met for a Budget Worksession on May 24, 2021, wherein a four-to-one vote they approved their own salary increase of $18,000 total per year and the mayor’s $3,600 per year raise ahead of the June 15th City Council meeting. The City of Kinston is expected to increase property taxes by $0.04 per $100 valuation at that meeting.

As this was a budget work session, there is no video of the off-site meeting, but an audio recording is attached. This vote was the only one taken during the four-hour budget meeting. During the same session, the previously reported dry-cleaning allowance line item was removed by the consensus of the mayor and board.

City confirms time and a half for two new holidays, $53,604 daily payroll

City confirms time and a half for two new holidays, $53,604 daily payroll

Kristy Kelly
Local News, Politics

During Monday night’s City Council meeting, motions were unanimously passed proclaiming the November General Election Day and Juneteenth as city holidays, starting with 2020. City manager Tony Sears confirmed the two additional city holidays would be paid and later confirmed to Neuse News that “the salaries for a single day across all budgets is $53,604.17.”

Statements during the meeting attested there would be no “extra cost” to the taxpayers for the two new annual holidays. Citizens took to social media following the meeting suggesting that emergency services employees should get paid time and a half for holiday pay, which potentially would be an extra cost for the city in direct contrast to the vote’s portrayal.

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