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Residents confront Rocky Mount council over recent layoffs, call for accountability
Summary
Two public commenters criticized the council—s handling of city finances and the recent firing of roughly 100 city employees, calling for structural change and demanding accountability from council members and staff. Speakers urged immediate relief measures for laid-off employees and stronger transparency in council processes.
During the public comment period, two speakers pressed the Rocky Mount City Council to explain how recent staff reductions occurred and to take responsibility for decisions they said led to layoffs.
Dr. Khoo told the council that an apparent $80 million drop in the city—s operating budget over two years had gone unnoticed and urged review of internal procedures, particularly the Committee of the Whole, which he said should be structured to surface financial red flags. "Since you all say there's nothing wrong with the way you function, then the error must be structural," Dr. Khoo said.
A second speaker, identified as Mama Sha'i, said the recent firing of about 100 city employees left families facing possible loss of homes and health care. She accused council members aligned with a 4–3 majority of enabling fiscal mismanagement and demanded that those council members forfeit their salaries, provide utility and rental forbearance for affected workers, help establish soup kitchens and prioritize rehiring laid-off city employees for a 90‑day period. "If the 4–3 majority are unwilling to pay for their mistakes ... the only honorable course of action is voluntary resignation," she said.
Council members did not take formal action in response during the public comment period but later discussed grant process transparency and staff responsibilities while considering agenda items. Several council members and staff said they expect staff to vet grants and to present full documentation on the council—s agenda.
The public comments reflect heightened resident concern about city financial management and the local economic impact of municipal layoffs; speakers asked for immediate relief measures for affected workers and for structural changes to increase transparency and oversight.
