Board calls special meeting for June 19 to adopt ordinance amendments and final budget

The New Bern Board of Aldermen voted to call a special meeting on Friday, June 19, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. at City Hall to adopt ordinance amendments and the final budget ordinance after city staff said the items were not properly noticed for the June 16 retreat. Staff said the ordinance changes would move sales-tax reimbursements out of balance-sheet wash entries into true revenue and expense accounts across multiple multi-year funds, a technical accounting change the finance director said does not increase overall expense but aligns municipal practice with the School of Government and auditors.

City financial staff told the board the amendment affects six multi-year funds, including the multi-year grants fund, an electric improvements project fund, an entitlement CDBG fund, drainage improvements and a Hurricane Florence fund. The board noted the change is largely a presentation and timing convention that will show sales-tax receipts as revenue rather than a wash item when reimbursements arrive from the state.

Mayor Odum asked for a motion to schedule a special meeting so the board could adopt the ordinance and the final budget; a motion and second were made and the board voted in favor. The clerk will issue formal notice and include both items on the June 19 agenda.

No other formal actions were taken at the retreat on these ordinances; staff said the special meeting is intended to ensure the process complies with notice requirements and to approve the budget before the end of the fiscal year.