[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6530685,"mediaKeyId","3643075-9c23331eb89f24fa7ab703531ad51463","parentId",3643075,"title","Clinton council approves college special use, zoning text amendments, contracts and event permits; schedules final budget vote","audioSeconds",2315,"startMs",833000,"endMs",3148000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3643075-9c23331eb89f24fa7ab703531ad51463&start=833&end=3148","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3643075-9c23331eb89f24fa7ab703531ad51463/thumbnail_833000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6530685/Clinton/Sampson-County/North-Carolina/Clinton-council-approves-college-special-use-zoning-text-amendments-contracts-and-event-permits-schedules-final-budget-vote","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530685-2056fa0ed2253f83299265b69b1de19d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775223310&Signature=Zya5Ix~uBHXAMyFMxIyOuq~I2L327symYbiiJsGmAM6DsFvGBLDKldknSY6ckFCUeYa3Jcm3kJcoBhnuxG2tWsDwkyR0lnnx7G~fP2jPrbYgdle77hWOK72G22p~R3TpxR2MTjWCmFOCvmFuAOZeCnXKuONj6HRTgR51oMigaFujKOFJES1rPtz0SL0MTMrxOxbKW7CprEuP4G~a-ZguvpQAgb6CXaWMZBQO4RCkxxv1DGwyp9JIrXXdXsFdqMAZX33pNbdyaKRYMngMo7P9NmrlcMMGSAiT9XsDMq8ENPSz0rXDEcZhY~8rJ2Zcu~wl97v09bkFWrd1H9e0hI5pAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Clinton","date","2025-06-04T12:19:05Z","article","The Clinton City Council on June 3 approved a series of land-use changes, contracts, and event permits and closed the public hearing on the fiscal 2025–26 budget, setting a final council vote for June 17.

Council members moved through a long consent-style agenda that included a special-use approval for a community college training expansion, several citywide text amendments to the land development ordinance, agreements for airport runway and lighting rehabilitation, new audit services, and short-term street closures for downtown events and Juneteenth celebrations. Most motions passed by unanimous voice vote.

Why it matters: The package includes projects and rule changes that affect training for public-safety personnel, the city’s development rules for subdivisions and townhouses, local infrastructure work at the municipal airport funded largely by state and federal grants, and downtown business activations that will close streets or parking lots temporarily. Those decisions affect countywide training capacity, short-term traffic patterns downtown, and planned capital work at the airport.

Key council actions (votes at a glance):

- Special-use approval for Central Community College’s proposed expansion at 395 Enterprise Drive (41 acres) to add public-safety and technical training capacity; council made the required five findings and approved the request by voice vote.

- Text amendments to the land development ordinance including: (a) allowing minor subdivisions up to five lots under a staff definition change; (b) changes to plant/driveway/erosion-control submittal timing; and (c) a citywide townhouse minimum lot-width change to allow narrower lots in certain private, HOA-maintained drive configurations. Each amendment passed on voice votes after public hearings.

- Contracts and procurement approvals: selection of Martin & Jenkins (audit firm); award of runway rehabilitation and related airfield lighting work (Barnhill Construction and related contractors) with funding structured as a federal/state pass-through and small local shares; a contract award for lighting and signage improvements; and several interlocal/service contracts including police services agreements (Eastern Regional Housing Authority, ABC Board, school resource agreements). Council gave voice approval to each contract.

- Event and street/parking-lot closures: approvals for the Sampson County Juneteenth celebration (Graham Street and adjacent City Market lot), expanded Saturday farmers-market closures June–September, a classic-car “cruise-in” closure for June 28, and a NextGen July 4 downtown “lock-in”/block-party use of the courthouse west parking lot. Council granted each permit by voice vote.

- Budget process steps: The council closed the public hearing on the FY25–26 proposed budget and will return to consider final action at the June 17 meeting. The budget presentation included personnel and benefit changes and modest utility rate increases (see separate story).

Other housekeeping: the council reappointed and administered the oath to the city attorney; reappointments to advisory boards were confirmed; and staff reported that work on the municipal theater is approaching completion, pending an upstairs glass panel and seat installation.

What comes next: Council will reconvene June 17 to vote on the budget. Airport construction and lighting work will proceed under award and execution of the contracts; staff and the manager will return with standard contract documents and authorizations as required by state and federal grant terms.

Votes and outcomes in the meeting text were recorded as unanimous voice approvals unless otherwise noted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 3, 2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Clinton City Council on June 3 approved a package of land‑use approvals, contracts and event permits — including a special‑use permit for a community‑college training expansion and awards for airport rehabilitation work — and closed the public hearing on the proposed fiscal 2025–26 budget, with final budget action set for June 17.","taxTitle","Clinton, Sampson County, North Carolina","taxId",61430,"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},6530677,"Jumpstart prison‑ministry presenter asks council for volunteers; cites 96% post‑release success claim",276,396000,672000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3643075-9c23331eb89f24fa7ab703531ad51463&start=396&end=672","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3643075-9c23331eb89f24fa7ab703531ad51463/thumbnail_396000.jpg","/articles/6530677/Clinton/Sampson-County/North-Carolina/Jumpstart-prisonministry-presenter-asks-council-for-volunteers-cites-96-postrelease-success-claim","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530677-bd4db88f494e4ef6159dc08adbd6c824/orig.mp4?Expires=1775223310&Signature=iagxc~9P18qZmttnRGa~h5ebfC89XGL0Z00pZlWU~~3kGg2fSoIJaI1Wurd1QBZmXLqcMbpi9g8W45q7tYdFq6ggEE8up5hLSLDVA65GXXSVnMuxnj3rqBNcJykFVTwb~E~0MCy8a6DjPdTBfX8ClhEyB5pgtu~wjl~~oi8WC74c1mZSacwsFYJ22nnk-yFpmsJY923cbXtUrtxysALAH3p2QCfHX9HJZ13qGszMcK-ifPsAtAa6YAO6zXp0MzDpUveYrL2qIEWjrfevq7jrbef0664UCHNmWN0ybAtw3et6nvgrxnZutwEEn1qMvlFUeHHmw-yCfH8cNT~ll3S74g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rob Whitner, a Jumpstart presenter who identified himself as a volunteer, addressed the Clinton City Council on June 3 to introduce a faith‑based prison‑ministry program and request volunteers to start classes at a nearby correctional facility.

Why it matters: Jumpstart (the presenter spelled the name as one word) says its program works with incarcerated people before release and supports reentry with employment, housing assistance and mentorship. The presenter asked for 8–10 volunteers to staff a 40‑week group that uses The Purpose Driven Life as core curriculum and includes homework and life‑skills assignments.

Program details and volunteer request: Whitner said Jumpstart began in South Carolina in 2008 and that \"for those that successfully graduate the program, 96 percent, when they get out, they stay out.\" He described small‑group work on thinking patterns, purpose and reintegration supports after release. Whitner said the program will start at a local correctional facility pending volunteer recruitment and approvals and provided a contact email during his remarks.

Council response and next steps: Council members and other meeting attendees offered to sign up or provide contact information, and the clerk was asked to collect volunteer names. Whitner left brochure/contact details with the clerk and asked interested people to speak to him after the meeting.

Quote:

\"Jumpstart is a way to impact how they return. It's making an investment in them while they're still incarcerated,\" Whitner said, urging faith communities and individuals to volunteer.

Contact: Whitner gave an email in the meeting (rob.whitner@jumpstartvision.org) and asked those willing to volunteer or learn more to meet him before leaving the chambers.","Rob Whitner of Jumpstart presented to the Clinton City Council on June 3 about a faith‑based prison ministry that uses a 40‑week curriculum and seeks 8–10 volunteers to run programming at a local correctional facility.",{"_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},6530682,"Clinton manager and finance director present FY25–26 budget; tax rate held steady and public hearing closed",176,1562000,1738000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3643075-9c23331eb89f24fa7ab703531ad51463&start=1562&end=1738","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3643075-9c23331eb89f24fa7ab703531ad51463/thumbnail_1562000.jpg","/articles/6530682/Clinton/Sampson-County/North-Carolina/Clinton-manager-and-finance-director-present-FY2526-budget-tax-rate-held-steady-and-public-hearing-closed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530682-3280b49e84379dd4d075b0bbfd8578c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775223310&Signature=F6e7FVEX50hFXu47UP6pJcjuMQbVP7Yd7Hiv29BiSc3g78A0brAll2XXTbjZdcF2qB3WJvgH8DfkqW67gECKeoZ2J6pnvC~OjexriyqLVcCzrR2Pm-lgg-bi9whcBje1SbRfdbtlPwHQlL1RSxFZXLjx0XA~fiw2O9wCTFN3kRhrSIyFkdH3oZN6qHITlRBQR2bepTqt-NhYnC~t60KqNluW-oC8FbDyZd7nmqSsHAeivVEcCilrZ3Ntx2mVFN2DU1EYIbq9A0vKJ2i1CpHwLj-EwACoSv380AKgesow4zuHsxVLSirJDeErXykn-nJeyAvPjT9kpAbSqUM7J2ohDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Clinton City Council on June 3 heard the city manager and the finance director present the proposed fiscal 2025–26 budget, including personnel pay and benefits changes, modest utility rate increases and a plan to use a limited portion of the general fund balance. Council closed the public hearing and scheduled final action for the June 17 meeting.

Finance Director (Mann) summarized personnel and benefit provisions in the proposed budget. The director said the budget includes a 1.0% cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees, a new Blue Cross Blue Shield health plan effective July 1, addition of dental insurance at no cost to employees, and a 1% 401(k) employer match for non‑LEO employees (the meeting record shows law‑enforcement employees already have a different contribution arrangement). The presentation also flagged an increase in retirement contribution costs and continuing pressures from inflation and aging infrastructure.

Key budget numbers and proposals presented to council:

- Property tax rate: recommended to remain at $0.34 per $100 of assessed value.
- Estimated citywide assessed valuation: $1,110,500,000.
- Use of fund balance: staff proposed drawing $210,000 from the general fund balance for the coming year.
- Residential curbside solid-waste fee: increase of $1 per month to $20.50.
- Water and sewer: staff proposed a 3% increase to both base and consumption rates; examples presented showed monthly bill impacts (for 2,200 gallons/month an estimated $1.22 increase; for 6,000 gallons/month an estimated $1.89; for 12,000 gallons/month an estimated $3.00).
- General fund composition: public safety (police and fire) was identified as the largest single category of general fund expenditures (presented as approximately 47.71% of the general fund in the presentation).

Manager and council remarks: City Manager (JP) and council members emphasized the challenge of balancing personnel needs and infrastructure requirements while keeping the tax rate stable. The manager noted the city expects capital needs in coming years and described the budget as “challenging but responsible.” Councilmembers discussed elected‑official stipends and noted some members planned personal salary adjustments (the mayor indicated an intent to reduce her salary to $1 for next year as a symbolic gesture and the mayor said others had made similar offers). The manager and finance director reminded the public that the water fund is separate from the general fund and that capital replacement and water/wastewater projects are funded within that enterprise fund.

What happens next: Council closed the public hearing and will consider final adoption of the budget ordinance at the June 17 meeting. Staff said budget documents are public and available online or from the clerk’s office for review ahead of that vote.

Quotes:

\"For those that successfully graduate the program, 96 percent, when they get out, they stay out,\" (program claim quoted in an earlier presentation) — Rob Whitner, Jumpstart presenter, who addressed council earlier in the meeting about a separate prison‑ministry program seeking volunteers.

(For budget details and line‑by‑line items, the city clerk and finance department provided the official proposed budget packet to council; the council will return June 17 for final action.)","Finance staff presented the city's proposed FY25–26 budget on June 3, highlighting personnel and benefits changes, a proposed 3% water/sewer rate increase, a $1 monthly curbside waste increase and use of a modest fund balance. Council closed the public hearing and will vote on final adoption June 17.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Clinton council approves college special use, zoning text amendments, contracts and event permits; schedules final budget vote

Jumpstart prison‑ministry presenter asks council for volunteers; cites 96% post‑release success claim

Clinton manager and finance director present FY25–26 budget; tax rate held steady and public hearing closed