Tar River Reservoir and Dam information – http://thecommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Tar-River-Reservoir-and-Dam-information.pdf
Taxes
Rocky Mount Edgecombe Community Development Corporation and Douglas Block
It appears the Citizens of Rocky Mount are paying Rocky Mount Edgecombe Community Development Corporation (RMECDC) tons of money to not manage the Douglas Block:
Rocky Mount Telegram Articles on Rocky Mount City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney and City Council Questionable Actions
Reporting by Rocky Mount Telegram – Primarily Staff Writer Lindell John Kay unless otherwise noted.
To the Taxpayers of Rocky Mount, NC…How much more are you willing to pay?
The proposed 2018-19 budget by the Rocky Mount City Manager includes a $5.8 million increase. That’s a 9.13% increase from the current budget! It also includes an additional 3.8% property tax rate increase… an 18% increase over a five year period.
The FY 2019 proposed budget for the City of Rocky Mount calls for a 3.8% property tax rate increase and increases spending by 9.13%. If approved the tax rate for Rocky Mount will have increased 13.22% ($0.605 to $0.685) since 2017.
3.8% property tax rate increase and 9.13% spending increase
The FY 2019 proposed budget for the City of Rocky Mount calls for a 3.8% property tax rate increase and increases spending by 9.13%. If approved the tax rate for Rocky Mount will have increased 13.22% ($0.605 to $0.685) since 2017.
Did the Rocky Mount City Council violate the open meetings law?
“The Rocky Mount City Council may have violated open meetings laws
Rocky Mount City Council agrees to hire Rochelle D. Small-Toney as new City Manager without an announced public vote.
Rocky Mount City Council agrees to hire Rochelle D. Small-Toney as new City Manager without an announced public vote by the city council.
Community Center wont’t save Rocky Mount
Link to Carolina Journal Commentary by Julie Tisdale – https://goo.gl/d3in7h
Julie Tisdale is city and county policy analyst for the John Locke Foundation.
Carolina Journal – Community center would add debt without taxpayer OK
Rocky Mount Mayor David Combs, speaking to a Dec. 9 meeting of the Local Government Commission, defends the city’s proposed use of debt that would not require taxpayer approval to build a new community center.(CJ photo by Kari Travis)
Click on image to link to newspaper. Turn to pages 8 and 9.
Rocky Mount Event Center: An Unwise Burden For Taxpayers
Insightful spotlight on the proposed Rocky Mount Event Center by Julie Tisdale of the John Locke Foundation.
Event Center – $2.5 million for land that’s only worth $1 million
The spending spree the City of Rocky Mount leaders have spent and propose to spend on the “proposed” Event Center is not sustainable.
Event Center – Public Hearing – Tuesday, November 1, 2016 @ 6:00pm – Rocky Mount City Hall
Tuesday night, the Rocky Mount City Council will discuss funding options on the $50+ million project.
Rocky Mount Property Tax Rate Increase? – With property values declining, city should put event center on hold
Nash County property owners will see tax values of their property reduced between $10,000 to $15,000 for every $100,000 worth of property while those in Rocky Mount could experience losses between $20,000 and $25,000 per $100,000 in value. Anyone who has sold or purchased property in our area can confirm the tax values mimic the market values.
Rocky Mount – Utility savings? Or smoke and mirrors?
How much has the City of Rocky Mount allowed residential customers to share in the savings due to the recent reduction in electric and natural gas rates?
Rocky Mount Telegram – NC Bond Referendum and the Event Center
It was interesting to read the Rocky Mount Telegram Editorial in support of the North Carolina bond referendum. This referendum will allow North Carolina taxpayers to vote, up or down, for a $2 billion general obligation bond for infrastructure.
Property Tax and Rate Increases – Rocky Mount and Edgecombe County Considering Budget
City of Rocky Mount
On Monday night, June 8th, the Rocky Mount City Council will consider a new budget that includes increases to the property tax in addition to water and sewer rates. The property tax increase is to build the event center when it has not even been approved by the City Council or the NC Local Government Commission.
- Increase current property tax rate of $0.58 to $0.60 (3.33% increase) or $0.605 (4.13% increase) by 2019 the plan is to increase property taxes to $0.6385 (9.16% increase)
- Property Taxes include things such as homes, land, cars, trucks, boats, etc.
- Increase Water Rates by 4%
- Increase Sewer Rates by 5%
Click on the link to see the time and location of the City Council Meeting. http://goo.gl/wK3u5K
Edgecombe County
On Monday, June 22nd, the Edgecombe County Commissioners will consider a new budget that includes a substantial property tax increase of $0.075 (7.73% increase). This will move Edgecombe County from the third highest property tax rate in North Carolina to the second highest. Currently Northhampton County has a tax rate of $0.92 and Scotland County has a tax rate of $1.03.
Edgecombe County side of the City of Rocky Mount
The Edgecombe side of Rocky Mount will have a property tax rate 19% higher than the Nash side of Rocky Mount. Currently there is a 15.25% property tax difference for the same jurisdictions.
Event Center and Sales Tax Legislation could result in Rocky Mount increasing property taxes by 20%
Rocky Mount Telegram letter to editor states how the “proposed” event center and sales tax legislation could result in Rocky Mount increasing property taxes by 20%.
It’s Just Money . . . Public Money . . . Your Money . . . Our Money
On September 10, 2014, the Community Council mailed a public records request regarding expenses to Edgecombe County, Nash County and the City of Rocky Mount. The request specifically asked for itemized expenses per elected official and manager to include but not limited to travel, schools, conferences, lodging and meals. We requested to receive a response within ten (10) business days and for the information to be sent in electronic format.
“Proposed” Rocky Mount Event Center by The Sports Facilities Advisory (SFA) – V2
On February 23, 2015 the Rocky Mount City Council held an informational meeting regarding the “proposed” event center for citizens and property tax payers.
“Proposed” Rocky Mount Event Center by The Sports Facilities Advisory (SFA)
On February 23, 2015 the Rocky Mount City Council held an informational meeting regarding the “proposed” event center for citizens and property tax payers.
Rocky Mount Event Center Presentation
Rocky Mount Event Center Presentation
by Sports Facilities Advisory (SFA)
Charlotte has $22.8 million worth of reasons why Rocky Mount should not build an event center
The Charlotte City Council will vote to stick creditors with $22.8 million of debt owed for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Nash County fee increase – Public Hearing – January 5, 2015
Nash County is holding a public hearing regarding a proposed fee increase for solid waste.
Update from the Community Council
This year The Community Council has been working and researching various topics which impact our community.
How Rocky Mount stacks up to other North Carolina Municipalities
Over the past few months the Rocky Mount City Manager and Council have made some bold proposals that impact our community.
How much more can we handle?
According to the Rocky Mount Telegram we will likely see a 7% increase in our electric and gas bills while sewer charges will increase by 5%.
Proposed Nash County $25 Solid Waste Fee Nixed Saving Citizens $500,000
Nash County Commissioners dropped plans to increase and propose new fees for solid waste as reported in the Rocky Mount Telegram on May 10, 2014.
New $25 Fee or Tax? – Nash County Solid Waste Program
The Rocky Mount Telegram reported on March 24, 2014 that the Nash County Commissioners requested a $25.00 fee to be included in the next budget proposal.
$20 million squandered or invested by the City of Rocky Mount?
Our October 30, 2013 blog post focused on 2013 revenue and expenses on specific City of Rocky Mount facilities. We will now focus on those same facilities for the time period of 2008 to 2013.
As the previous blog stated, most of us agree that a municipality exists to provide for the common good of its citizens. As with anything in life you have to wisely pick and choose where you decide to spend money. A municipality is no different.
The City of Rocky Mount has chosen to allocate a portion of city resources to the Children’s Museum, Imperial Centre, Booker T Theater, Art Centre and Sports Complex. We would argue that we have some of the finest facilities in North Carolina. We can even argue and prove some of these facilities create sales for select area businesses and sales tax for our city. We all recognize this comes at a cost.
We originally requested five years of revenue and expense data from the City of Rocky Mount and later requested data for 2013. In six years the Children’s Museum, Imperial Centre, Booker T Theater, Art Centre and Sports Complex created $4,544,306.82 in revenue compared to expenditures totaling $24,542,590.91. This created deficit spending of $19,998,284.09.
We, the citizens, need to determine if this is the best use of our money and have this conversation with our City Leaders. Regardless of the outcome, we need to realize this is $20 million we could have saved or allocated to other areas. What do you think?
What does $647 million in property tax value get you?
Most of us agree that a municipality exists to provide for the common good of its citizens. Without question museums, art centers, sports facilities, and other facilities should be considered useful facilities that benefit its citizens.