Councilmen take opposing sides on raising taxes

Two Rocky Mount City Council members said that they are not going to back the proposed city budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which would increase by four cents the city’s property tax rate.

Going into the council’s regular meeting Monday afternoon, Harris and Daughtridge said they are planning to vote no; Knight, Blackwell and Joyner said they are planning to vote yes. Walker said what he plans to do is going to become known when he casts his vote.

Harris said Wednesday that he wants to go back to what Daniels presented without the increase in the property tax rate.

Harris said that he does sense the urgency to build the fund balance back up as quickly as possible to get back to a minimum of 8 percent in reserve as part of the general fund budget. That would be in line with the recommendation of the Local Government Commission.

“I will support an increase of two cents provided that everything goes toward the fund balance, but I will not be voting for a four cents property tax increase,” Harris said. “Four cents is way too high.”

He also noted that the proposed budget includes adjustments in fees for sewer, stormwater, water service and the cost of disposing solid waste.