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Council approves amendment to restoration grant after questions about earlier appropriations
Summary
Council members pressed staff about a previously appropriated $100,000 tied to a neighborhood restoration grant; staff said the council had appropriated $100,000 but staff never awarded it and that only a $30,000 award was disbursed for property acquisition; after discussion the council approved the amendment.
The Rocky Mount City Council approved the first amendment to a restoration and preservation incentive grant connected to a neighborhood property after extended questioning from council members about prior appropriations.
Councilman Daughtridge asked why an earlier $100,000 appropriation and a separate $30,000 award were not clearly disclosed in the agenda materials and said he could not support approval until the history of prior awards and compliance checks were provided. "Has the earlier money been dispersed such as the $30,000 and the $100,000? If not, is it still eligible?" he asked.
Cornelia McGee, staff, replied that the council had appropriated $100,000 but staff never awarded the $100,000 to the grantee or to the neighborhood community; "The only award that they've received is $30,000 that they used to acquire the property back in 2021," she said. Council members requested future grant items include a summary of all previous awards to the same party or property and confirmation that applicants meet program rules before disbursement.
Other council members underscored the community-development goals of the program, noting communities that had successfully used similar funds to rehabilitate homes and improve neighborhood safety. After discussion a motion and second were made and the amendment was approved by voice vote.
Council members asked staff to provide clearer documentation on the record of prior appropriations and on compliance vetting for future grant items.
