[{"_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",6458828,"mediaKeyId","5809107-d7fe06b26e55a316942c243f6cfc2308","parentId",5809107,"title","Council approves budget carryforward, property conveyances and consent items; schedules closed session on personnel","audioSeconds",123,"startMs",1701000,"endMs",1824745,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809107-d7fe06b26e55a316942c243f6cfc2308&start=1701&end=1824","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809107-d7fe06b26e55a316942c243f6cfc2308/thumbnail_1701000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6458828/Rocky-Mount/Nash-County/North-Carolina/Council-approves-budget-carryforward-property-conveyances-and-consent-items-schedules-closed-session-on-personnel","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458828-cfa9ed18ddfc105357ac777f921ae66e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198845&Signature=dRwpYA2yrf~D2~ZTyeBhEWnbjRbeDIYhjn9cwfK~QQyYJSYxgaFBvoCQ9vbR8sX~shp7S2OkAvTU~t6OVCYNAOpCoRNd5pfz1UorCa8e995QuzYr04ZF-Ul2gdOFSlceAcgjvM1W5Zppkcjbm8fLXtxAre9M01Sm4NtUA9VTU7pVv5IZpCUuemMXz8u3ypVLJt8EQgAUVPGBVWskxMqm-P1duRgrdZPKaPJS5LZen~OQBI1QC3bMyOp0piX3IPUSTfqUC7qzrtnHnPtIyD3wgzV0CLvhy5AdBrq8XQISjDHix-~EUO7EVflmfG-rusqhdX4o-ZVewWVXOeYKIeRZbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rocky Mount","date","2025-09-22T20:27:27.617Z","article","The Rocky Mount City Council voted on a package of orders and routine items, adopting an ordinance to carry forward budgeted but unspent funds, accepting a property donation and authorizing a sale for affordable housing.

The council adopted a fiscal-year 2025–2026 budget ordinance amendment to reflect carryforward of funds that were budgeted and encumbered but not expensed in fiscal year 2024–2025. The combined total for those carryforward amounts is $18,020,152. Motion to adopt the ordinance was made by Councilman Joiner and seconded by Councilman Blackwell; council voiced approval.

The consent agenda was approved by motion of Councilman Joiner with a second; items listed by the mayor included approving tax releases, adopting resolutions, acknowledging receipt of a petition, approving the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) and authorizing its submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and approving the purchase and installation of a microtransit software system. The council approved those consent items by voice vote.

The council accepted an offer of donation of property at 503 Atlantic Avenue from the Redevelopment Commission and authorized the mayor and city clerk to execute required documentation. Motion to accept was made by Councilman Joiner and seconded by Councilman Blackwell.

The council also adopted a resolution authorizing sale of 500 Gold Leaf Street to Self Help Community Development Corporation for $25,000; the resolution authorizes the mayor to execute a deed containing affordable-housing covenants and any other required documents, and directs the city clerk to advertise the conveyance pursuant to North Carolina general statute 1 60 d dash 13 16, with the property not to be conveyed until 10 days after notice is published. Motion to adopt the resolution was moved by Councilman Blackwell and seconded by Councilman Joiner.

Finally, the council voted to go into closed session for a personnel matter; the motion was made by Councilman Joiner and seconded by Councilman Harris.

Ending: All recorded motions on the consent agenda, budget carryforward, property donation and sale were approved by voice vote; the meeting then moved to a closed session on personnel. Specific roll-call tallies were not recorded in the meeting transcript; the mayor announced voice votes of “aye” for passed items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting, September 22","oneSentenceSummary","The Rocky Mount City Council adopted a fiscal carryforward ordinance totaling $18,020,152, approved a suite of consent items including HUD CAPER submission and microtransit software purchase, accepted a property donation and authorized the sale of 500 Gold Leaf Street for $25,000 to Self Help Community Development Corporation.","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},6458833,"Residents press council on delayed home repairs, funding for nonprofits and city leadership ahead of elections",759,956000,1715000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809107-d7fe06b26e55a316942c243f6cfc2308&start=956&end=1715","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809107-d7fe06b26e55a316942c243f6cfc2308/thumbnail_956000.jpg","/articles/6458833/Rocky-Mount/Nash-County/North-Carolina/Residents-press-council-on-delayed-home-repairs-funding-for-nonprofits-and-city-leadership-ahead-of-elections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458833-8083bf69c66da8ad6f738161484961eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198845&Signature=kkjtvZf7vShsbzUMqdaqisqRsR307ov2TMUlTbhVrotz4IhQ~AicrC2bQDQuISaLIjmP-9mhOZeWH-j3A~XpjIgLHvWXO52OACHQy6NK3QDVhevtdb4sDbZFD8SrtvltAqOBYjIJFHY2HpUz7dpzynUhi4~m3qm4DYxLg3f9iBKtNVC5h49DxGoBAXeR0j0~URgVUlFjw5JULqF6WtkiFEY8Qjbz~EvQLlNDEPoCwhr0uwDA-8XnLgSO1FqB-~JFFTsOFpggX2fjGkW9KuAB4oQXEmutNFEJdllFb6KxyghVUmrSPfCtvqOzHUnl3~0D2NcE16RbbcMXw-2icv3j8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the council’s public-comment period to raise housing repair, nonprofit funding and city-leadership concerns.

Joyce Freeman, who identified herself as an 89-year-old Rocky Mount resident, asked the council for help after a contractor inspected her home last December under a grant and she had not heard when repairs would be completed. “I need these questions answered, and I'd appreciate very much if you would answer my questions as soon as possible,” Freeman said, asking when work would begin and whether it could be completed before Christmas.

Linda Brinson, executive director of United Community Ministry, thanked the council for $300,000 in funding that she said kept the organization’s shelter operating and helped provide services. “Because of you, children are safe, families, the elderly, the disabled, and the mentally ill has stability,” Brinson said, and she noted the agency also raised $16,000 at a fundraiser.

Other commenters touched on neighborhood revitalization and civic concern. Mary Warren described rehabilitating apartments into a senior-village project in the southeast part of the city and thanked council members for support. Darlene Spencer Harris praised recent city events including the Down East Viking Classic and the Show & Showcase car event, and noted donations to the event by Word Tabernacle Church.

Shanice Cotton, a Ward 6 resident, criticized the council’s transparency on finances and urged current council members to refrain from major staffing or personnel changes until the newly elected council is seated in January 2026. “With nearly half the council likely to change after October 7, it is only right that the new leadership addresses the city's multimillion dollar deficit,” Cotton said. She also criticized a recent land-development ordinance vote that reduced parking requirements, saying the council did not fully examine long-term impacts.

Ending: City staff and the mayor responded to some speakers by directing department staff to follow up (the mayor said housing staff would contact Joyce Freeman). Several speakers invited council members to visit neighborhood projects; no formal council action on these individual comments was recorded during the meeting.","During public comment, an 89-year-old resident asked about a home repair grant; United Community Ministry thanked the city for $300,000 in support; other speakers raised housing, safety and fiscal transparency concerns and urged caution on personnel moves before the incoming council.",{"_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},6458838,"Electric Cities honors Rocky Mount for customer programs, workforce development",242,510000,752000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809107-d7fe06b26e55a316942c243f6cfc2308&start=510&end=752","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809107-d7fe06b26e55a316942c243f6cfc2308/thumbnail_510000.jpg","/articles/6458838/Rocky-Mount/Nash-County/North-Carolina/Electric-Cities-honors-Rocky-Mount-for-customer-programs-workforce-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458838-9e2af296a62ecad0e40bc89a5ffbc592/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198845&Signature=EyjHsPi3IN6~vNTsTjVMyPH-R7EPcb5udoDDyDdR1RxeEx5~1B~rF7P3JLe412ME6XmEMolBfAbVb77qXI1nP5-5G0XT1J-xq-W9sLexE~FlXuF5Bxcd8A-7gbg5bxMRDSyiVYBcHFYKF34cV8F94Y7Ibss6rKPykH92k~WIx6ZYOfS5da6s2C6rw0BBi7KZDeNUlQOWyhEt4Pe6iodWbrkURUFGg9TTlTIlPTbJued8oCdJaJv-nmLRh-7f37sLZah-4OMAVABTLxh1BXQZYMNIW8myzdHJqoumFuUQJQyN7dwe8yG5wgUM9GWAtb6AOdf~pUlxoUMU0JqN6A6txQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Roy Jones, chief executive officer of Electric Cities, told the Rocky Mount City Council that Electric Cities recognized Rocky Mount in four categories of its Destination 2030 strategic plan and praised local utility efforts on customer programs, infrastructure and workforce development.

Jones announced Rocky Mount was honored for “strengthening public power,” “providing superior power,” “customer-centered innovation” and “people,” and he highlighted several local initiatives the awards recognized. “I know there was some feedback given to you all about wanting more electric vehicle charging stations around the city,” Jones said. He also mentioned investments in load-management programs aimed at shaving peak demand and helping customers save on monthly bills, and he pointed to a “step for growth” workforce program connected to North Carolina A and T University to recruit the next generation of public-power workers.

The presentation noted Electric Cities now serves 99 member communities across Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina and cited the organization’s five-year Destination 2030 plan as the framework for recognition. Jones commended Rocky Mount’s line crews for regional storm response efforts and thanked local crews who remained on duty while others deployed to help communities after Hurricane Helene.

The mayor and council received the presentation and later posed no questions on the awards. The council photo opportunity followed the remarks.

Ending: The council did not take formal action on the presentation; it was given as a recognition and update on utility programs and workforce partnerships.","Electric Cities CEO Roy Jones presented awards recognizing Rocky Mount in four categories and highlighted local utility initiatives including electric-vehicle charging, load management and workforce training tied to North Carolina A&T University.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves budget carryforward, property conveyances and consent items; schedules closed session on personnel

Residents press council on delayed home repairs, funding for nonprofits and city leadership ahead of elections

Electric Cities honors Rocky Mount for customer programs, workforce development