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Fayetteville council urges state lawmakers to preserve Powell Bill road funding as Senate budget threatens cuts
Summary
Council unanimously approved a resolution asking North Carolina lawmakers to preserve Powell Bill funding, which the city says provides about $6.9 million annually for street paving and preservation. City staff said the resolution will go to the full delegation and other legislative leaders to explain local impacts.
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The Fayetteville City Council unanimously adopted a resolution on April 28 urging North Carolina lawmakers to preserve Powell Bill funding, warning that recent Senate budget language could reduce or eliminate funds that the city uses for street resurfacing and preservation.
Assistant City Manager Samantha Phelps told council the city’s Powell Bill allocation last year was about $6.9 million; preserving the program for large municipalities would protect roughly $14 million over the two‑year state budget cycle, she said. Phelps said staff coordinated the resolution with other large North Carolina cities and a state consultant, and planned to send the resolution to both Democratic and Republican members of the Fayetteville delegation.
“We want to make sure we get it in the hands of the members of the General Assembly this week so that we have time,” Phelps said. She described the outreach as nonpartisan and focused on roadway safety, pedestrian safety and the local economic value of a maintained transportation network.
Councilmembers asked staff to include documentation with the resolution showing how Powell Bill funds have been spent locally. Councilmember Benavente said the council should not routinely pass consent‑agenda resolutions without adequate deliberation; Phelps said staff could provide a memo with prior fund use to inform lawmakers. Mayor Mitch Colvin said the issue transcends partisan lines because the funding supports safety and economic activity in urban communities.
Council voted unanimously to approve the resolution. Staff said they will provide local delegation members with the resolution and supporting materials and will follow up with the General Assembly as the House and Senate work toward a conference agreement.
Why it matters: Powell Bill funds are distributed by the state to municipalities for street maintenance and resurfacing. Fayetteville officials said a Senate budget proposal would shift or cut funding for municipalities over 150,000 in population, a change that would directly affect the city’s pavement preservation program.
Ending: With the resolution approved, city staff will deliver the document and a memo describing prior uses of Powell Bill funds to Fayetteville’s state delegation and other members of the General Assembly as they finalize the state budget.
