Millions of dollars missing, higher bills and layoffs: A timeline of Rocky Mount’s financial crisis

2022

• The state began sending Rocky Mount leaders Financial Performance Indicators of Concern (FPIC) letters, signaling early warning signs. One FPIC letter noted that the city’s operating income for 2022 had a negative balance of $283,932, meaning expenses exceeded revenue.

The city continued going further in debt each following year, ballooning to $5,289,039.

2023

• The FPIC reporting continued: A 2023 letter flagged that the city’s general fund deficit could threaten its ability to support ongoing operations. During this period, city leaders and auditors note that a revolving door of city managers and the departure of a long-time finance director contributed to weakening financial oversight.

2024

• The state’s 2024 FPIC said the city had "expenditures that exceed legal budget ordinance."

• In August 2024, the then–City Manager Keith Rodgers Jr. resigned after he was put on administrative leave. Rodgers had started his role in March 2023.

June 2025

City leaders signed off on plans to fix financial concerns raised by the state year after year, including as recently as June.

September 2025

Sept. 23, 2025

WRAL News reports on the depth of Rocky Mount’s overspending and the need to reduce spending by at least $30 million in the next 10 months. The move includes freezing non-essential projects, pausing capital initiatives and reducing staff, with at least 10% of full-time employees and half of part-time staff facing layoffs.

Rocky Mount’s savings fund went from about $100 million in 2023 to roughly $20 million by 2025.

For the city’s approximate 54,000 residents, it will also mean a bump in natural gas and electricity rates. Estimates put the increase at about $20 per month for natural gas for the typical household. An approximate $8 monthly increase for electricity is expected, according to a release from the city.

Sept. 24-25, 2025

The State Auditor’s Office confirms it is investigating the city’s finances, sending a deputy state auditor and team to Rocky Mount.

Sept 30, 2025

WRAL News reports that the city plans cuts to about 15 positions with the police department and about 10 with the fire department. The city also plans for broader departmental reductions.

October 2025

Oct 2, 2025

WRAL covers a meeting between residents and city leaders, in which documents show that city leaders had been alerted to financial troubles going back to at least 2022.

Oct. 7, 2025

Rocky Mount voters returned three councilmembers to their seats despite weeks of reports of financial chaos in the city.

Incumbents Tom Harris (Ward 6) and Jabaris Walker (Ward 7) defeated their challengers.

In Ward 2, Reuben Blackwell IV was running unopposed.

A single open seat, in Ward 3, was more competitive. Charles (Verb) Roberson won with 37.6% of the vote over six others.

Mayor Sandy Roberson isn’t up for reelection this year, nor are councilors for Wards 1, 4 and 5

Oct. 17, 2025

The city of Rocky Mount announced it will lay off about 100 employees. The city said it's a little more than 10% of its full-time workforce.

"This decision was not made lightly and follows an extensive review of our current fiscal challenges, operational needs and long-term sustainability goals," the city wrote in a release. "We deeply value the contributions of every employee affected by this decision."

What’s next?

The documents obtained from the state do not explain the millions of dollars that are missing from the town's savings fund.

Rocky Mount Mayor Sandy Roberson said he’s looking toward the state's audit for clarity on where that money went.