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Media Contact: Tameka Kenan-Norman Chief Communications and Marketing Officer (252) 972-1333 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 18, 2018 Council holds budget session Next meeting set for June 20 Rocky Mount, N.C. - The Rocky Mount City Council held a budget session today (June 18) for the city of Rocky Mount’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 budget. A list of proposed budget revisions was presented by Small-Toney to the council which would meet their suggested threshold of general fund operating reductions by $2,091,500. The council agreed on deferring the hiring of seven new full-time staffers for Technology Services to FY 2020. However, the current vacant manager position will still be upgraded to director level for a total reduction of $231,000. According to Small-Toney, the director position is still significant and was a position suggested as a part of the city’s Technology Strategic Plan completed years ago. The plan included a specific structure which would result in Technology Services functioning as a stand-alone department. Currently, the division operates under the Finance Department. “We will still bring technology positions from other departments, and this director will be responsible for coordinating all technology activities across the city. Currently, our GIS (Geographic Information Systems) staff is spread out in the general fund and utilities. It is our thought that centralizing this program will bring about more efficiencies than we may realize,” stated Small-Toney. “Advance technology will go a long way with Inspections and Permitting, improving our customer service overall and our processes for future development throughout the city.” Council also agreed on the following: reducing some vehicle purchases, reducing the budget by $307,500; permitting the hiring of an Assistant Human Resources Director for FY 2019 and deferring the hiring of a Wellness Coordinator to FY 2020, reducing the budget by $42,500; not completing rehabilitation of the City Hall parking lot, reducing the budget by $40,000; rather than completing the Battle Park Master Plan, first, exploring opportunities to work with partners to restore Battle Park, reducing the budget by $100,000; evaluating the third Assistant City Manager position, perhaps revisiting that position mid-year or in FY 2020; and reducing the housing grants from $500,000 to $400,000. Mayor Pro Tem Lois Watkins stated that the programs and grants for Community and Business Development provide incentives which further the redevelopment of downtown, a factor essential when considering the upcoming Rocky Mount Event Center. These programs will support the investors already located in downtown Rocky Mount and will encourage people to invest in downtown. In addition to Community and Business Development, the council’s additional priorities consisted of the Rocky Mount Event Center and replacement of the roof for the Rocky Mount Senior Center. Other additional requests since the presentation of the recommended budget, such as funding for the HOPE Initiative and a housing developer for the Rocky Mount Edgecombe Community Development Corporation, will have to be revisited later in the year. (The HOPE Initiative assists individuals with substance use disorders). The Rocky Mount City Council will hold another Committee of the Whole meeting Wednesday, June 20 at 3 p.m. in the third floor Committee Room of City Hall. Based on today’s discussion of Small-Toney’s proposed budget revisions and council priorities, she will provide a list of revised items to meet the council’s suggested reductions. ###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 18, 2018
Council holds budget session Next meeting set for June 20
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