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Council pulls Crossroads lobbying items from consent agenda after debate on Seymour Johnson priorities
Summary
Goldsboro councilors debated whether the Crossroads federal lobbying contract focuses too narrowly on F-15 issues and not on base priorities like dorms and childcare. Council voted unanimously to remove items 6.5 and 6.6 from the consent agenda for further negotiation and then approved the remaining consent items.
Goldsboro's City Council on Aug. 18 removed two consent-agenda items tied to the Crossroads federal lobbying agreement after council members questioned whether the contract addresses local priorities at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base beyond preserving F-15 missions.
Council members pressed staff and one another about whether Crossroads is advocating for broader base needs such as dorm construction, child development centers and spousal licensing. "They do a great job with the F-15s, but I don't think they're hitting the mark when it comes to those priorities for that commander," a council member said during debate.
City Manager Matt Livingston and other staff said the current Crossroads contract is narrowly tailored to legislative work on F-15 availability but that Crossroads had expressed willingness to negotiate expanded scope if the city chooses to invest additional funds.
After debate, the council voted 7-0 to remove items 6.5 and 6.6 from the consent agenda and return them at a future meeting after additional conversations with Crossroads and the Friends of Seymour. The remainder of the consent agenda (items 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.7 and 6.8) was approved 7-0.
Why it matters: Council members said they want lobbying priorities aligned with base leadership needs and asked staff to secure a supplemental agreement or an amended scope before approving additional or ongoing payments. The move delays an immediate vote on Crossroads but preserves the city's ability to negotiate more specific deliverables.
What's next: Staff will invite Crossroads and Friends of Seymour back to brief the council and provide comparative cost and scope options; the removed items will return at a later meeting for formal action.
