I have a limited number of yard signs. If you reside in a location that has lots of vehicle traffic and live in Ward 6, I would appreciate your support by allowing me to put a sign in your yard. Please email me at tomharrisforcitycouncil@gmail.com.

Seven candidates are seeking election this coming autumn to what is going to be an open Rocky Mount City Council Ward 3 seat.

City residents living in Wards 6 and 7 also will have a choice to make at the ballot box.

Councilman Tom Harris, who represents Ward 6 and who has been in office since 2022, filed qualifying papers to run again.

Council seats in Wards 3, 6, 7 to be contested

Seven candidates are seeking election this coming autumn to what is going to be an open Rocky Mount City Council Ward 3 seat. City residents living in Wards 6 and

William F. West Staff WriterRockyMount Telegram

A majority of the Rocky Mount City Council approved a budget Monday for the upcoming 2025-26 fiscal year that puts in place a four-cent property tax rate increase.

Councilmen Lige Daughtridge and Tom Harris voted no. Councilman Jabaris “JKelly” Walker was not in his seat at the time of the vote on the item.

During the council’s discussion on the spending plan, Harris said that he would like for the proposed tax rate increase to be lowered to two cents.

Harris emphasized that at the first of a series of budget work sessions, City Manager Elton Daniels presented a proposed budget without an increase in the property tax rate. Harris also emphasized that Daniels found an additional $300,000 in savings.

Council majority approves a budget that raises rates, fees

A majority of the Rocky Mount City Council approved a budget Monday for the upcoming 2025-26 fiscal year that puts in place a four-cent property tax rate increase.

William F. West Staff WriterRockyMount Telegram

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.

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

William F. West Staff WriterRockyMount Telegram