[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6619903,"mediaKeyId","2826880-3990c6b3e5e16190f5cb4f8552e0889c","parentId",2826880,"title","Audit timeline extended; council moves into closed session for personnel and property acquisition","audioSeconds",543,"startMs",3553000,"endMs",4096000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2826880-3990c6b3e5e16190f5cb4f8552e0889c&start=3553&end=4096","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2826880-3990c6b3e5e16190f5cb4f8552e0889c/thumbnail_3553000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6619903/Rocky-Mount/Nash-County/North-Carolina/Audit-timeline-extended-council-moves-into-closed-session-for-personnel-and-property-acquisition","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619903-89e20b7855782991a08935964cc879c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448440&Signature=Q2E0an0RCJfXg02T4SeSCLuvWfDwUocr2p2dRZyRTclHz9dcvj9ASnZVBUPcOof3PN3-EejrV3JzbMg50ih18OEIdSDszXYO7X8Wv4BIHoXJ~jpKw5AEJP3imtqaEcxKvLkeVFnh9p2mkDwUf2~nuvqDuqmXJZCf29czN~m-28YYshrF8RooAVrjvcSA9lB0i58f-eK8TBKR2FWRNUpvwwVBh3kB1wOHycBGB0Wns7bYVzk~vfTmgrUxC7p6MWhnr8lK4BPQ0YvHAC2rVLAD6g~AbFwCyP7qjxTr2v4S9-MifoQGEQZ9A3nieWm-5bKzf1OM29YO-RRAcbEbfD6IxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rocky Mount","date","2025-03-31T21:08:10.07Z","article","Abigail Below (staff) told the Rocky Mount Committee of the Whole that the city’s external auditors have requested a 30-day extension to complete the audit write-up. She said documentation has been submitted and the extension would allow the auditors to finish writing the report, with staff expecting a final report in April and a formal approval session with external auditors in May.

“Everything has been submitted,” Abigail said, and staff said the extension can be handled by extending the contract with the auditors; they said a formal filing with the Local Government Commission would only be required if the audit could not be completed before the June 30 fiscal deadline.

Later in the meeting the committee moved to go into closed session \"for personnel and property acquisition.\" A motion to move into closed session was made and seconded; the committee recorded a voice vote with all members saying “aye,” and the meeting proceeded into closed session.

No further open-session action was recorded on the audit or the closed-session topics during the public portion of the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Special Called Committee of the Whole Meeting, March 31","oneSentenceSummary","Auditors requested a 30-day extension to finish the city audit; later the council voted unanimously to enter closed session for personnel and property acquisition.","taxTitle","Rocky Mount, Nash County, North Carolina","taxId",5685,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6619907,"City to pursue rural health loan for Memorial Hospital renovation; staff warns application requires full cost disclosure",267,3700000,3967000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2826880-3990c6b3e5e16190f5cb4f8552e0889c&start=3700&end=3967","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2826880-3990c6b3e5e16190f5cb4f8552e0889c/thumbnail_3700000.jpg","/articles/6619907/Rocky-Mount/Nash-County/North-Carolina/City-to-pursue-rural-health-loan-for-Memorial-Hospital-renovation-staff-warns-application-requires-full-cost-disclosure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619907-ba9092dcdce7fe286e4f0598dbda07d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448440&Signature=RORDp4de3ab09pc6ydMGivfeJYQ9b3OwKXFwTbUP6mjpQEwmUVmlavtaRHff-VE5Z7wY6PrZMLTEN7UYaxmpfSbMVAoV2ZM7t2m0lYYT3IxolvNg-0n24wZOpZ6YzDZ6YK96x1ViC~t9R5I5zB~thdKW0Qw~G2PhNuHi5Cu~dBOckgN3AFf-QAM4RwnN5KFlJUr2e0pYX50y43apnMXSBpzz0Zc3edTRI7AQVqNZqkLI-3kwilPJtW1x7XY6aZjAHeYN-QgcsBx9bK4rd0HgLdwl0Ob3QNkfANn6yXOuyV0KpttuMNnSi31-TJZmqMOkYUzKgnyNgp34S2XFR~F2hA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Committee of the Whole on March 30 that they plan to apply for a North Carolina Department of Commerce rural health loan to support the proposed Memorial Hospital renovation and reuse project.

Peter Vaughn and staff said consultant David Hartigan advised the city that the rural health program could offer more favorable terms than a building-reuse loan. Under the program described by staff, the state would make a loan to the city, and the city would sub-loan to the project operator — identified in the presentation as OIC. Staff said the program can forgive loan amounts based on verified job creation and payroll reported to the state.

Vaughn said the program’s benefit is $10,000 per eligible job. A presenter at a previous meeting, Bridgette Chisholm, had said the project could create 25 jobs, which staff said would translate to a potential $250,000 toward the project if the jobs and payroll meet the state’s verification requirements. Staff said the city would need to report actual jobs and payroll for a full year to qualify for forgiveness.

Vaughn warned the council that state loan applications require full disclosure of project costs, including medical equipment; he said past applicants withdrew after learning disclosure requirements. The city’s staff said they plan to submit the application in late April and aim to present a resolution to the full council at the April 14 meeting.

Staff also noted timing risks tied to the state budget year and suggested the city must ensure funds remain available in the Department of Commerce’s fiscal-year allocations. Council members did not object; staff said it would confirm the project partner’s willingness to disclose required information before submitting the application.","Staff said it will apply for a North Carolina Department of Commerce rural health loan for the Memorial Hospital renovation; the city would be the borrower and would sub-loan funds to OIC, with loan forgiveness possible if job and payroll targets are met.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6619912,"Rocky Mount council hears options to cover multi‑million-dollar wholesale power true-ups; representative backs lump‑sum debt release",1202,1259000,2461000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2826880-3990c6b3e5e16190f5cb4f8552e0889c&start=1259&end=2461","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2826880-3990c6b3e5e16190f5cb4f8552e0889c/thumbnail_1259000.jpg","/articles/6619912/Rocky-Mount/Nash-County/North-Carolina/Rocky-Mount-council-hears-options-to-cover-multimillion-dollar-wholesale-power-true-ups-representative-backs-lumpsum-debt-release","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619912-b6f3a89fe59961df6624a9d0f433f1f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448440&Signature=U7Dxy7ngBcQov~~IOOzk3-mtYRJIMea80FmwcC0BRmma9X4bMrJX9MTo5Q4R-K93OES76XhUFgXUbEd2gm62tzQSU8HFwl09tZui9-8cwcHP6R2BmDx9hxquRiC7csFUOE6P2AQCNuOsgkbQi3Th~xUPllUbyK6apMVol0g3sNviPXS5cwSqlYtnL8SpuFirfGA8qm~wetVMJBOGHmSOEYP0dJYpPTecACb5AV6znHUevAR1T8LZhI2UdsHlFm6efbx6e9XMiwvzM~oAaTs8sIKSh0dtYotSGgqRdaObbSEVWf4qHMBakpTxQSWJMWyILKisUVx14TJTzpn~3doTSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and council members discussed how wholesale power cost “true ups” from Duke are being passed through by the joint purchasing agency and the financial options before that agency’s board.

Mister Beshore, who said he serves as Rocky Mount’s representative on the rate committee, explained that large true-ups in 2022 and 2023—driven largely by underestimated natural gas costs—produced tens of millions in retroactive wholesale charges and that Nikampa/Kempa’s working capital has been drawn down. He said one true-up in 2022 was about $53 million overall and estimated Rocky Mount’s share at roughly $5 million; the 2023 true-up was estimated near $40 million overall with Rocky Mount’s portion near $4 million.

Beshore described two options the purchasing agency proposed to address the 2024/2025 true-ups. Option 1 would release members’ debt amounts as lump-sum debt-release payments in July 2025 and accept a larger wholesale-rate increase in the first year (about 6.5%), then lower increases in later years. Option 3 (the committee‑favored outcome in the rate committee vote) would use the debt release to bolster the agency’s working capital and spread member repayments over 24 months, producing a lower immediate increase (about 3.5% in year one) but extending member repayments into future fiscal years.

Beshore said the rate committee vote was 13 members for Option 3 and 4 members for Option 1. He said the rate committee’s recommendation is a majority-rule outcome that will go to the purchasing agency’s board (a weighted vote) on April 23. Beshore noted that some municipalities that had already approved retail-rate increases to cover earlier true-ups favored Option 3 because it reduced near-term pressure on retail rates. He said Rocky Mount has instead used its rate stabilization fund to avoid passing wholesale increases to customers.

Council members asked about projected working-capital targets and the practical budget impact. Staff reported the city’s electric rate stabilization balance was roughly $11 million after upcoming payments; receiving the debt release under Option 1 would add the city’s share (about $2.3 million) in one lump sum and keep the fund higher in the near term, while Option 3 would spread that benefit over multiple years. Staff warned these numbers are projections and depend on Duke’s future wholesale cost filings.

After the presentation and discussion, one councilmember said he planned to “concur with Mister Beshore’s vote and vote for Option 1,” and another councilmember responded “I propose we go with the option 1.” The body then recorded a voice affirmation (ayes) in favor. Staff and Beshore cautioned the purchasing agency’s board will make the final decision in a weighted vote on April 23 and that member municipalities could lobby other members prior to that meeting.

No contract or retail rate changes were approved by the Rocky Mount council in the meeting; the item is a local position on a regional purchasing-agency decision.","Staff explained two options to cover wholesale power 'true ups' passed through by the pooled purchasing agency; staff recommended Option 3 at the rate committee but a Rocky Mount representative said he will vote for Option 1 and the council verbally concurred.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6619916,"Rocky Mount staff outline proposed utility rate increases for environmental services, water, sewer and stormwater",120,187000,307000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2826880-3990c6b3e5e16190f5cb4f8552e0889c&start=187&end=307","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2826880-3990c6b3e5e16190f5cb4f8552e0889c/thumbnail_187000.jpg","/articles/6619916/Rocky-Mount/Nash-County/North-Carolina/Rocky-Mount-staff-outline-proposed-utility-rate-increases-for-environmental-services-water-sewer-and-stormwater","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619916-87702ecb86e3e850b2ff4c68c6beff51/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448440&Signature=I0kTsDMDga0LrDKz8ICkEGSBORcqcDg7MmkxJ1TiiIbZlFRz55bNSKmkYuJuD7J81Yf0m4ppmeCrmgJa-vCd03vXTCxilX9hPZpoFMkgv81hn00EGYwtnHBOu6hvTJDQ3ZypUdduwZFTOGjQV91oxNuv8mlvgS2M59467Ckv8SDxSorRNjILKKhIb6943AGtPaI5XgFVypQA7p5wVRgL6dRK1LIEJVJdixKQ2N2S8KyhH35rGsgIEO8F~3yQhm9O0hAw8IognQjzyyrKKFzdcLtd~E2yz4YZv2GgkV5DSZWvFf-RbABbqGEEtSpXIqF~~kIJMygAHj8wBHzJ3pABfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Rocky Mount City Council Committee of the Whole on March 30 that rising costs across utilities — disposal contracts, fuel surcharges, treatment chemicals and higher interest on financed projects — are driving proposed rate increases they expect to include in the fiscal year 2026 budget.

The presentation, led by Ken Varney and Peter Vaughn, forecasted adjustments across environmental services, water, sewer and stormwater to maintain operations and fund capital improvements. Varney said the city is proposing to raise the residential solid-waste rate by $1.25 a month and the recycling rate by $0.50 a month, a combined increase of $1.75 for most residential customers. He attributed part of the recycling cost rise to the national decline in exports of recyclable plastics.

“The recycling industry is not the way it was 10, 20 years ago,” Varney said, noting the city is paying to dispose of recyclables and, in some cases, paying a higher per-ton rate for recyclables than for solid waste.

On stormwater, staff noted the last rate change was in 2014. The city is proposing to move the stormwater fee from $5 per equivalent residential unit (ERU) to $6, which staff said would raise most residential customers’ bills by $1 per month starting July 1 if adopted. Varney said stormwater work is planned in phases by drainage basin and that larger projects could rely on grant funding or revenue bonds.

Water and sewer adjustments are proceeding from a cost-of-service study the city presented in 2022, Varney said. The four-year model includes annual adjustments; staff said the model calls for roughly a 77.5% increase over the model period for water rates. Varney said, under the model, the typical residential customer using four units (about 3,000 gallons) would see an increase of about $1.35 a month for water. On sewer, staff said the study recommended an approximately 8% increase; staff are still evaluating the numbers and said a sewer change “could be up to maybe even a 10% rate adjustment.” Staff estimated the average residential sewer customer would pay about $2.75 more per month under the current recommendation.

Council members asked about commercial-rate structure and equity between single-family and multi‑family customers. One council member raised concerns that commercial accounts may be underpriced relative to actual tonnage and that residential customers could be subsidizing commercial service; Varney said the city’s cost-of-service analysis will examine that allocation and commercial rates would be revised to reflect actual costs if warranted.

Staff said they will bring refined cost-of-service analysis and budget recommendations during FY2026 preparation. The presentation noted the city will continue reviewing front-loader operations, transfer-station tonnage tiers and options to better align rates with service costs.

For neighborhoods reporting frequent flooding, including Battleboro, staff said the capital improvement plan (CIP) includes basin-by-basin planning and phased work; larger basin projects will be higher-cost and staff said they will pursue grant funding and revenue models to address them. Varney cited an approved and funded project at Parker’s Canal and said some work completed as a phase 1 last fall will continue into spring.

The committee did not take a final retail-rate vote in the session; staff emphasized wholesale power and other wholesale charges drive much of the pressure and that only the council can authorize retail rate changes.","City staff presented forecasts that would raise residential environmental services bills by $1.75 a month, increase stormwater by $1 per month and propose multi-year water and sewer adjustments as the FY2026 budget is prepared.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Audit timeline extended; council moves into closed session for personnel and property acquisition

City to pursue rural health loan for Memorial Hospital renovation; staff warns application requires full cost disclosure

Rocky Mount council hears options to cover multi‑million-dollar wholesale power true-ups; representative backs lump‑sum debt release

Rocky Mount staff outline proposed utility rate increases for environmental services, water, sewer and stormwater