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Council rejects $1.5 million transfer from asphalt paving line for Rock & Soul Museum relocation
Summary
A proposal to move $1.5 million from the city's asphalt paving budget to support a Rock & Soul Museum relocation project failed after members raised concerns about leaving paving funds short; the CFO said paving funds were not fully spent but remain needed.
Councilman Jeff Warren introduced a resolution asking the budget committee to move $1,500,000 from the asphalt paving cover line into a new line titled "Rock and Soul Museum relocation" to help the museum's planned move off Beale Street.
Councilman Jeff Warren described the museum's collection and the relocation plan and said the museum's private project totals more than $26 million and the council could contribute $1.5 million as part of a multi-year commitment. Chair Carlisle and several members pushed back on taking money from a paving account in a year when the city's paving needs are ongoing. Chair Carlisle said, "I don't think you're going to find 7 votes out of the asphalt cover line," and Vice Chair Swearanda Washington said she receives frequent constituent calls about potholes and cited ongoing claims related to road conditions.
Walter Person, the city's chief financial officer, told the committee "all the funds were not spent, but those funds are sorely needed for asphalt paving." Members discussed carry-forward rules and the city's multi-year paving cycle; several members said paving needs and ongoing contracts mean the unspent dollars remain obligated to street repairs even if not fully expensed this fiscal year.
The motion was moved by Councilman Warren and seconded by Councilman Ford; after debate Chair Carlisle called for a roll-call view but then said "in the opinion of the chair that the nays have it" and the item failed. The chair indicated he would keep the sponsor's request in mind and seek opportunities if funds become available later in the fiscal year.
Background: the resolution sought a one-time reallocation from an internal pavement-covering line in the FY2026 CIP to assist a private museum relocation project; committee members weighed cultural/tourism benefits against visible infrastructure needs.
What happens next: the item failed; the sponsor was invited to work with council leadership and administration to seek other funding options or future opportunities.
