Kinston council approves budget amendment including $40,000 for lobbyist after public objections

Mayor Don Hardy opened the Jan. 6 meeting as residents urged the new council to delay decisions on contracts until the incoming administration takes office. Robert Jones, a resident of Riley Road, criticized recent pay increases and called for greater transparency about contracts: "I'm against it, and I wanna tell you why." Tonyu Marshall urged the council to postpone business until the newly elected mayor is sworn in and questioned vetting of a lobbying firm she said could cost "$90,000 plus fees."

The operating budget amendment presented by Director Donna Goodson included three components: final accounting for a $1,850,000 rolling stock installment purchase contract, a $40,000 allocation for lobbying expenses for FY2025 (described as prorated at $7,500 per month, plus registration and reimbursables), and a $10,000 transfer to a Historic Preservation Fund. Council Member Felicia Solomon moved to table action on items 1 and 2 and to remove lobbying funding from the amendment; her motion died for lack of a second. Solomon reiterated her concern that incoming officials should have input about multi‑year contracts and questioned the timing and justification for the lobbyist funding.

Mayor Pro Tem Antonio Hardy defended the council's record on attracting funding and acknowledged confusion about the monthly cost, saying he initially believed the amount to be $5,000 and later saw it as "5,000 to 7,500." Council Member Chris Suggs said council members had the contract in email circulation earlier and criticized colleagues for not reviewing materials in advance: "I hate to have to correct both of you, but we got an email on November 26th with an original...contract saying $8,500 a month."

Following debate, Council Member Chris Suggs moved to adopt the FY2025-26 operating budget amendment, Council Member Seaforth seconded, and the measure passed by roll call (4-1). Council Members Swinson, Seaforth, Suggs and Mayor Pro Tem Hardy voted yes; Council Member Felicia Solomon voted no. The amendment as described by staff includes the $40,000 lobbying allocation for FY2025 and related registration and reimbursable expenses.

The meeting record contains public objections and council discussion about timing and transparency but no amendment that removed the lobbying line. The council did not direct staff to delay implementing the contract pending the incoming administration; instead, the adopted budget amendment moved forward with the funding included.