Greenville City Council Workshop - February 9, 2026

Mayor P.J. Collie called the workshop to order at 4:00 PM on February 9, 2026, with all council members present. The agenda was approved unanimously (6-0). The meeting focused on three major items: a fire rescue staffing and operations update, a fiscal year 2025-2026 mid-year budget update, and an affordable housing update. No public comments were heard.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda for the regular council meeting later that evening includes the award of $600,000 in design fees for Station 8, currently in the design phase. The fire chief noted this item is on the consent agenda.

Discussion Items

Fire/Rescue Staffing and Operations Update

Fire Chief Jeremy Anderson presented his first report to council. Key points:

• Greenville Fire Rescue is the 11th largest fire department in North Carolina but has the 8th highest call volume statewide. It is one of only 300 ISO Class 1 and accredited fire departments in the world.
• The department is transitioning to a 24/72 staffing model (four shifts instead of three) effective March 7, 2026, to improve work-life balance and retention. This requires 36 additional positions to stabilize the transition.
• Station 8 (planned for the 43 North corridor near the GUC complex) will add 40 positions when fully staffed, with a phased hiring plan: 12 positions in 2027, 22 in 2028, 22 in 2029, and 10 per year from 2030-2032. The total need is 76 positions.
• In 2025, the department responded to 22,000 calls (including 300 fires and 18,000 EMS calls). The return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) rate for cardiac arrest is 35-40%, well above the national average, with 18 patients walking out of the hospital last year.
• Currently, 14 sworn positions are open, but 10 lateral hires are in process, and 70 new hire applicants are under review. Vacancies have dropped significantly from previous years.
• Council members expressed strong support for the plan, noting the need to keep pace with population growth and maintain the ISO Class 1 rating. Councilmember Hardy asked about the insurance impact of losing Class 1; the chief said businesses would see premium increases. Councilmember Robinson emphasized the importance of sticking to the plan and noted that land for stations 9 and 10 has already been acquired.

Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Mid-Year Budget Update

Chief Financial Officer Jacob Joyner and Assistant City Manager for Human Resources presented the update.

• Budgeted revenues: $117.6 million; collected $68.3 million as of December 31, 2025. Property taxes ($38 million collected) and sales tax ($11 million) are the largest sources.
• Sales tax is up 10% year-over-year, a significant increase from prior stagnation. The city's property tax rate is 39.54 cents per $100 valuation, lower than most regional peers. Total assessed value is under $12 billion.
• Expenses: $124.8 million budgeted, with $56.8 million spent to date. The city is projected to end the year near break-even, with a $2.5 million underrun on expenses.
• Personnel costs are rising due to reduced vacancies (now 5-6%) and wage inflation (19% cumulative since 2021). The state pension contribution rate has increased to 14.35% and is expected to rise another 1% next year.
• Health care costs are a major concern. The city is self-insured with a stop-loss of $300,000 per individual. In 2025, 8 large claims (75% dependents) drove a 40% increase in claims year-over-year. The city's employee share of premiums is 16%, well below the national average of 21%. The city is monitoring trends and may consider plan design changes.
• A classification and compensation study is underway (funded in FY25-26), with final recommendations expected in February 2026. Implementation is planned for the next budget. The last full study was in 2009-2010; a market study was done in 2022.
• Next budget steps: Proposed budget presentation on May 11, 2026; public hearing on June 8, 2026.

Affordable Housing Update

Director of Community and Development Services Tiana Barriman presented an update on the 50/10 Affordable Housing Initiative.

• The city started with $200,000 in FY25-26, increasing to $400,000 in FY26-27, with a goal of $1 million annually by the end of the five-year plan, totaling $8 million over a decade.
• Phase 1: Groundbreaking in August 2025 for 5 homes in partnership with Pitt Community College (construction trades students). Two additional homes were approved in fall 2025, bringing the total to 5. A summer construction career boot camp for high school students will launch in July 2026.
• Phase 2: An RFP was issued in January 2026 for development of available lots. Homes will be sold to families up to 120% of area median income (AMI), with no fewer than 60% sold to families at or below 80% AMI. The city offers down payment subsidies up to $40,000 (forgivable loan), which can be combined with state programs for up to $105,000 per transaction.
• Councilmember Robinson expressed concern that the income limits should remain focused on low-income residents already being pushed out of the community. Director Barriman noted that the 80% threshold is a minimum and that flexibility exists, but that previous projects (like Lincoln Park) were all at 80% or below. The discussion will continue.

Key Outcomes

• Council unanimously approved the agenda (6-0) and adjourned the workshop.
• No formal votes were taken on the three agenda items, but staff received clear direction to continue with the phased fire staffing plan, monitor health care costs, and proceed with the affordable housing RFP and community engagement.
• The consent agenda for the regular meeting includes Station 8 design fees.
• The next budget milestones are May 11 and June 8, 2026.