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Roanoke Rapids council approves settlement with Halifax County, transfers Newtown Resource Center
Summary
The council unanimously approved a settlement that resolves the city’s multi‑year 9‑1‑1 dispute with Halifax County, wipes away roughly $1.6 million in claimed past charges and transfers the Newtown Resource Center to the county under a new interlocal agreement.
Roanoke Rapids city council voted unanimously to approve a settlement with Halifax County that resolves a multi‑year dispute over 9‑1‑1 service funding and transfers ownership of the Newtown Resource Center at 3rd and Jackson to the county.
The city attorney told council the negotiated terms wipe out the county’s claim for nearly $1.6 million in past charges and release the city from future payment obligations “so long as there’s a county‑maintained 9‑1‑1 center.” He said the agreement is documented in a settlement, a corresponding interlocal agreement and a resolution presented to council.
The dispute began when the city stopped making payments for regional 9‑1‑1 dispatching; superior court rulings and an appellate dismissal left the issue unresolved on the merits. The city attorney said the total alleged liability covering four fiscal years was “somewhere in the neighborhood of, almost $1,700,000,” and that resolving the matter via settlement reduces the city’s legal and fiscal risk.
As part of the settlement, the city will transfer the Newtown Resource Center — a facility the attorney described as underused and in need of maintenance — to Halifax County at no charge. The interlocal agreement in the meeting packet formalizes service responsibilities and the conditions under which the county will continue to provide dispatching.
Councilmember Steinbeck moved to adopt resolution 2026.01 authorizing the settlement and transfer; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
City staff and the county must complete the interlocal paperwork and record the property transfer as provided in the resolution. The agreement cites statutory authority for the transfer and interlocal arrangements, and council action at the meeting concludes the city’s formal approval.
How this affects service levels and the timeline for the property transfer will be determined as staff and county officials complete the interlocal and operational details.
