Rocky Mount releases $276.7 million proposed operating budget for FY 2025-26; no property tax increase

Kenneth Hunter, city assistant to the city manager for budget evaluation, presented the City of Rocky Mount’s proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2025–26 during a virtual town hall on May 29.

Hunter said the proposed operating budget across eight funds totals $276,722,140 and “is balanced and does align with the requirements for a balanced budget as established by North Carolina's Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act.” The proposal does not include a property tax rate increase; the rate would remain at $0.58 per $100 of assessed value.

The proposal covers eight operating funds: a general fund proposed at $95,385,470 (about $4 million below the current year), the Powell Bill fund at $2,425,000, the E‑911 fund at $250,000, and five utility funds — electric $99,283,390; gas $30,055,000; water $18,745,000; sewer $22,625,000; and stormwater $7,953,280. Hunter said the total is $7,227,220 less than the amount adopted for the current fiscal year.

Hunter said the general fund budget includes a $1,500,000 allocation “to rebuild those reserves” and that the proposed budget does not appropriate any fund balance. The proposal also recommends eliminating the 20‑cent Municipal Service…