People gathered outside Rocky Mount City Hall to protest proposed increases in utility rates that could begin as early as April 1.
In a special city council meeting last week, councilmembers discussed ways to generate revenue and make necessary cuts to services to dig itself out of a financial crisis announced last year.
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Councilmembers led discussions on raising residential electric, gas, sewer, and water rates. The electric rate would see an $18 to $19 increase on average for Rocky Mount customers. For gas, customers would see a $15 increase, on average, for three months.
The idea of rate hikes is making people like Meri Fern rethink her decision to move to the city.
"I am trying to sell my house and get out of here, to be honest," Fern said. "I am a senior citizen living on a fixed income."
Tosha Aldridge said it will change how she looks at her finances.
"You've got to start looking at every little thing that you are doing. [That means] spending [and] bringing in. You have to budget. [That is not something I can say we are doing here in the city," she said.
Monday's protest and the complaints have prompted the Rocky Mount City Council to hold a special meeting at 10 a.m. Monday, March 30 in the city council chamber on the third floor of the Frederick Turnage Municipal Building.
Written comments for the items scheduled for the public hearing are accepted until 5 p.m. Thursday and can be emailed to ccpubliccomments@rockymountnc.gov.
A state-led audit released earlier this month showed former City Manager Keith Rogers Jr. operated "unchecked" and went "unaccountable for years", leading to millions of dollars being overspent.
Crystal Wimes-Anderson said she feels like she can't fully trust city leaders until they make a final decision on how to make the money up.
"Depending on their decisions this evening, depending on their decisions on the 30th, we'll see [if that can happen]," she said.
Councilmember TJ Walker joined the protestors.
He said he doesn't support the idea of raising utilities in such a steep way.
"I am looking for other measures where we can close the gap," he said.
The city has already made some adjustments to the way it operates to recover from the crisis, which includes layoffs of city workers and property tax increases.
Other proposed spending reductions that would take effect this year would be suspending a 3% contribution to the 401(k) for city employees in April 2026, eliminating downtown grants, suspending city-hosted public events, renegotiating agreements for prospective downtown major investment incentive projections, eliminating nonessential travel paid for by the city, and department-identified reductions to operating accounts.
The city council will officially consider the changes at a special meeting on Monday after a public hearing.