Kinston council adopts budget changes, updates asset-forfeiture funds and approves $463,530 engineering contract

The Kinston City Council on March 3 unanimously approved a package of budget and ordinance changes and an engineering services agreement, according to city staff and meeting minutes.

The council approved an operating budget amendment that reallocated funding among the general fund, capital reserves and wastewater funds to cover items including professional services for the city manager search committee, transfers for matching grant obligations and use of previously-designated field naming-rights money toward future Ranger Stadium renovations. Finance Director Donna Goodson presented the amendment and Mayor Pro Tem Felicia Solomon moved the measure; the motion passed unanimously.

Councilmembers also voted to reorganize the city’s seizure-and-restitution accounting. The council retained project P9136 for federal forfeiture proceeds and created separate funds for state seizure proceeds (project P9155) and for police department donations (project P9156). Goodson said splitting the funds will improve tracking and simplify annual reporting; Police Chief Keith Goyette told the council the change will make reporting clearer for multi-agency operations.

Separately, the council approved an engineering services agreement with Empirical Solutions for $463,530 to design and provide construction administration for replacing a 20-megawatt transformer at the Cunningham substation with a 30-megawatt unit. Public Services Director Steve Miller said transformer delivery is expected to take two years and that the engineering contract will be funded from existing electric capital reserves.

The council also confirmed appointments to the Parks and Recreation Commission, appointing Jerry Burns and Sue Ellen Maddox and reappointing Roger Jones. All listed motions passed by unanimous vote.

The council adjourned at 6:45 p.m.