Greenville City Council Regular Meeting - June 8, 2026

On June 8, 2026, the Greenville City Council convened at City Hall Council Chambers at 6:00 PM. The meeting included special recognitions, public comments, a public hearing on the FY 2026-2027 budget, presentations from the Environmental Advisory Commission, and unanimous approval of multiple business items. All votes were 6-0 in favor.

Special Recognitions

• Juneteenth Art Contest Participants: First-place winner Kied and Kelly were recognized, along with Langley Swain, Jaheem Vahan, and Jaleel Robinson. The city encouraged attendance at the Juneteenth celebration on June 13 at Thomas Foreman Park.
• Chamber Leadership Institute Graduates: City employees Bryan Jones (Community and Development Services) and Heather White (Recreation and Parks) graduated from the 2025-2026 program. Jones presented a financial literacy toolkit in partnership with the city’s housing division; White’s group installed 101 public safety markers along the greenway system with Friends of Greenville Greenways (FROGS).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Marion Blackburn requested the council adopt a proclamation declaring June as Pride Month, citing a lack of an official city proclamation and noting that neighboring Farmville and Governor Stein had issued proclamations. She highlighted historical and ongoing discrimination against LGBTQIA+ individuals.
• Jeff Monaco (Chair, Sierra Club Cypress Group) spoke in support of the Environmental Advisory Commission (EAC), emphasizing the expertise of its members and urging the council to support the EAC’s goals.
• Christopher Godley reported a decrease in traffic and crime in his neighborhood since the last council meeting and thanked the council. Aaron Morales (neighbor) echoed concerns about out-of-state landlords and requested continued police patrols. Jesse Little also commented on neighborhood safety. The mayor directed them to speak with the police chief after the meeting.

Consent Calendar

• The council unanimously approved items 3–14, including:
  • Approval of minutes
  • Ordinance amending Fire/Rescue code (Section 34(C)(3))
  • Resolution accepting rights-of-way and easements for Cobblestone, Phase 2, Section 2
  • Ordinance and reimbursement resolution amending Greenville Utilities Commission’s FY 2025-2026 budget
  • Municipal agreements with NCDOT for Evans Street Widening and North-South Connector projects
  • Amendment to service agreement with SoundThinking (ShotSpotter)
  • Contract awards for land surveying, stormwater repairs, janitorial services, and consulting services (The Ferguson Group, Pitt County Arts Council)

Public Hearing: FY 2026-2027 Budget

CFO Jacob Joyner presented the proposed $530 million total budget ($194.9 million city portion, $124 million general fund). Key points:

• Property tax rate held at 39.54 cents per $100 valuation, among the lowest in peer cities.
• General fund revenues: ~80% from property tax, sales tax, GUC transfer, and utilities franchise tax.
• Personnel increases of $4.2 million; $600,000 more for fleet costs; $100,000 additional for street improvements (to $3.5 million total); $100,000 increases each for ADA sidewalk program and affordable housing program (to $500,000 and $300,000 respectively).
• New $250,000 appropriation for the airport; $1.7 million for the library (4% operating increase); transit fund increased by $1 million (80% grant-funded for paratransit expansion).
• Sanitation fund moving to year two of a three-year rate plan ($20.25/month); stormwater fees unchanged.
• No public speakers in favor or opposition. The council approved the budget 6-0. Mayor noted it was one of the smoothest budget approvals in his tenure.

Discussion Items

Environmental Advisory Commission Presentation

Dr. Marion Swinker, EAC Chair, presented the commission’s 2026 priorities:

• Data Centers: Major land use, energy, water, and noise concerns. Large data centers can consume energy equivalent to 50,000–200,000 homes and increase community water use by up to 20%. The EAC recommended proactive planning, conditional use permits, and potential moratoria (as done in Apex, Durham, and Waynesville).
• Healthy Neighborhoods: Expand UDO concepts to existing neighborhoods; investigate reducing single-use plastics (citing health impacts of micro/nanoplastics).
• Climate Resilience: Insurance costs have risen 69% nationally over six years; Carolinas expect 40% increases. The EAC advocated for continued environmental momentum. Councilmember Willis requested future EAC feedback on solar farm impacts.

50-in-10 Affordable Housing Initiative

• Item 17: Memorandum of Understanding with Pitt Community College (PCC) for construction of three additional single-family homes in FY 2026-2027, continuing workforce training and affordable housing production. Five homes have been completed or are nearing completion under the existing agreement. Approved unanimously.
• Item 18: Contract award to Strictly Business Builders LLC ($116,000) for site development and setup of two completed homes at 703 and 705 West Fifth Street. Homes expected ready for first-time homebuyers in fall 2026. Approved unanimously.

Transportation Plans

• Item 19: Award of professional services contract to Kimley Horn and Associates for the Greenville MPO Active Transportation Plan 2026 Update ($125,000 from MPO PL funds). Plan covers multimodal networks (sidewalks, greenways, crossings) in the MPO region. Approved unanimously.
• Item 20: Award of professional services contract to VHB Engineering for the Greenville MPO Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (funded by a $500,000 Safe Streets for All grant, 80% federal, 20% local). Plan will identify high-injury networks and develop demonstration activities. Approved unanimously.

Budget Amendment

• Item 21: Budget Ordinance #11 amended multiple funds, including recognizing donations for Wildwood Fishing Pier ($380,000), grant revenue for Wildwood River Park North Boardwalk ($1.2 million), and other adjustments. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All votes passed 6-0. No opposition recorded on any item.
• The FY 2026-2027 budget was adopted with a total operating budget of over $206 million (including amendment #11).
• The council directed staff to schedule a workshop on the city’s relationship with the Greenville Housing Authority following a failure-to-comply letter from HUD.
• Councilmember Robinson proposed exploring the former Sheppard Mobile Home Park as a greenway connection and disc golf course, and suggested a visioning workshop for district projects.
• Councilmembers expressed appreciation for city staff, congratulated graduates and art contest winners, and reaffirmed support for the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month.
• The next City Council meeting is scheduled for June 11, 2026.