Winston-Salem City Council Meeting – June 16, 2025

The Winston-Salem City Council met on Monday, June 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM at 101 North Main Street. All nine council members were present. The meeting featured the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget, a contentious debate on firefighter leave accruals, and the approval of a new scoreboard for Bowman Gray Stadium. The meeting adjourned at 7:38 PM.

Consent Calendar

• C-1: Approved the 2025 Traffic Calming Projects (Southeast and East Wards), including a resolution and ordinance for 25 mph speed limits on select streets.
• C-2: Authorized abandonment of an easement in a closed portion of Fairway Drive.
• C-3: Approved a contract with UKG Inc. for a new Human Resources Information System (HRIS).
• C-4: Awarded annual blanket purchase orders for sole source vendors for FY 2025-2026.
• C-5: Approved a purchase order for two hoist loader trucks from Amick Equipment Company, Inc., for $522,760.08.
• C-6: Declared certain city-owned nuclear density gauges surplus and authorized private sale.
• C-7: Authorized the City Manager to purchase property, boiler/machinery insurance from Traveler’s Insurance Company through Surry Insurance for $2,653,352.
• C-8: Amended the FY 2024-2025 budget ordinances (annual appropriation and project budget).
• C-9: Approved Mayor Joines’ appointments to the Affordable Housing Coalition: Kenneth Patridge (term to Feb. 2028), Corey N. Harvey (Feb. 2028), Emily A. Thompson (Feb. 2026).
• C-10: Re-appointed Walter Farabee to the City-County Planning Board (term to Feb. 2029).
• C-11: Appointed Dixon Pitt to the City-County Planning Board (term to Feb. 2026).
• C-12: Approved appointments to the Human Relations Commission: Carla Hoots (Dec. 2025), Travonn Thomas (Dec. 2027), Phyllis D’Agostino (Dec. 2025).
• C-13: Appointed Stephanie Vestal to the Public Assembly Facilities Commission (term to Aug. 2026).
• C-14: Appointed Hunter M. Day to the Recreation and Parks Commission (term to May 2027).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dennis Threut (Healy Towers resident, Housing Justice Now) asked that public housing residents be included in selecting the next housing authority leader and that more residents serve on the board of commissioners. He requested a meeting with the Mayor.
• Ashton Parrinello (Winston-Salem Fire Department) strongly opposed the proposed benefit cuts, calling them a “continued attack” on firefighters. He noted the proposal was moved from a September vote to June, and urged council to “weigh heavily” on the August 4 decision.
• Henry Murray (WSFD) thanked the council for separating the resolution items and looked forward to open communication.
• Beth Hutchens (widow of fallen officer, WSFD supporter) urged a no vote on benefit cuts, warning that losing experienced firefighters would repeat the police department’s past staffing crisis. She cited personal sacrifice and noted her nephew is a city firefighter.
• Quimeka Shavers (WSFD) criticized the budget proposal as disrespectful, questioned why the city would cut benefits for firefighters while increasing taxes and the City Manager’s salary, and asserted that firefighters are “not like us” due to their 24-hour shifts.
• Dan Rose (1332 Pleasant Street) questioned the city’s priorities, pointing to paid lobbyists and alleged neglect of public housing. He stated that the city spends $8 million on the Benton Convention Center while residents of Healy and Crystal Towers face mold and bed bugs.
• Betsy Wilson (Walkertown, NC, family of WSFD) argued that the proposed reduction from 240 to 112 hours of annual leave would undermine morale and recruitment, and that three-person truck crews already strain resources.
• Olivia Doyle (112 W. Devonshire Street) requested the city formally endorse a lower speed limit (35 mph or less) on Peters Creek to protect pedestrians, especially students at Parkland High School. She criticized council member Clark’s remarks about the school system and alleged that the city prioritizes corporations over community needs.
• Christopher Dallalis (WSFD Captain, 3257 Konnoak Drive) thanked the council for postponing the vote. He argued the city manager’s proposal was based on flawed assumptions, including a legal error that required removal, and that the equity analysis was misleading because firefighters use more hours per day off. He urged formation of a committee to develop a comprehensive leave plan.
• Steven Austin (3840 Whitehaven Drive, WSFD) compared firefighter and police compensation, stating that after eight years he earns less than a police trainee. He argued that a 24-hour sick day costs firefighters three times the leave hours of a 40-hour employee, and called for council members to visit local fire stations.

Discussion Items

• G-1: Adoption of FY 2025-2026 Budget – Scott Tesh, Director of Budget and Performance Management, presented the final budget. Total budget reduced from $727.9 million to $724.7 million. The property tax rate is set at 56.7 cents per $100 of valuation (down from the proposed 57.5 cents), with a downtown business improvement district rate of 9 cents. The revenue-neutral rate was 52.7 cents. The median homeowner (home value ~$233,000) will see an increase of about $8 per month. Councilmember Barbara Hanes Burke raised concerns about vacant positions (nine in sanitation/recycling) and service levels. Councilmember Robert Clark defended the budget, noting that 4% above revenue neutral is due to transit fund deficits and the end of a federal fire station grant. He warned about potential state/federal funding cuts. The budget passed 7-1, with Councilmember Burke voting no.
• G-2 to G-7: Recusals and Related Budget Ordinances – Council members were excused from voting on items where they serve on nonprofit boards. G-3 (funding for REACH Center, Kaleideum, Family Services, Mixxer Makerspace, Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership, Piedmont Triad Regional Council) passed 5-0. G-5 (National League of Cities and NC League of Municipalities) passed 5-0. G-7 (Federal Housing Funds: CDBG, HOME, Supportive Housing, HOPWA) passed 7-0.
• G-8: Capital Plan 2025-2031 – Approved as a financial planning guide (8-0). Councilmember Clark amended the motion to correct the fiscal years (2025-26 through 2030-31).
• G-9: Orders to Collect Property Taxes – Authorized Forsyth County to collect city taxes for 2025 and prior years (8-0).
• G-10: Opioid Settlement Funds for BEAR Team – Directed funds to support the Behavior Evaluation and Response Team as a criminal justice diversion program (8-0).
• G-11: User Fee Schedule for FY 2025-2026 – Approved; changes effective January 1, 2026, with public notice to be provided (8-0).
• G-12: Ordinance Amending Chapter 74 (Streets and Sidewalks) – Updated special event permit fees (8-0).
• G-13: Ordinance Amending Chapter 75 (Stormwater Fees) – Updated stormwater system management fees (8-0).
• G-14: 2025-2028 Strategic Plan – Adopted by resolution (8-0).
• G-15: Personnel Resolution (Compensation and Leave Accruals) – This item sparked extensive debate. Councilmember Clark moved to approve the combined resolution. Councilmember Scott Andree-Bowen made a substitute motion to separate the pay raise (Section 30) from the leave accrual changes (Section 44). The substitute motion passed 6-2 (Clark and Adams opposed). Then, the pay raise portion (2% in July 2025 and 2% in January 2026) was approved 7-1 (Burke opposed). Councilmember Regina Hall made a substitute motion to postpone the Section 44 leave accrual changes to the next council meeting on August 4, 2025, citing the late release of detailed information and limited public input. That motion passed 8-0.
• G-16: Bowman Gray Stadium Scoreboard – Ben Rowe, Assistant City Manager, presented a plan for a new scoreboard. The estimated cost is $1 million. The city’s share is capped at $500,000, with Winston-Salem Speedway LLC paying 40% and Winston-Salem State University 10%. Speedway will acquire and install the scoreboard, then lease it to the city for five years; NASCAR will commit to bring national events. Revenue from the Cookout Clash (February 2025) showed net income of $45,000 (excluding one-time expenses). The resolution passed unanimously (8-0).
• G-17: Conveyance of 1101 North Cameron Avenue – Shantell McClam, Neighborhood Services Director, explained that the property is the second of five city-owned homes to be rehabbed and sold to qualified buyers. The buyer, Reginald Chapman, will pay $212,000 (appraised at $216,000; rehab cost $126,325). The home must be his primary residence, with a 15-year affordability deed restriction. The buyer’s income is at or below 80% of area median income. Approved unanimously (8-0).

Key Outcomes

• Budget Adoption: The FY 2025-2026 budget of $724.7 million was adopted with a property tax rate of 56.7 cents per $100 valuation. Vote: 7–1 (Councilmember Burke opposed).
• Pay Raises: Approved 2% wage increases for all full-time employees in July 2025 and a merit-based 2% in January 2026. Vote: 7–1 (Councilmember Burke opposed).
• Leave Accrual Changes Postponed: The proposed reduction in vacation and sick leave for firefighters (Article III, Section 44) was not acted upon; a substitute motion to postpone until August 4, 2025, passed unanimously (8–0).
• Bowman Gray Scoreboard: Authorized the city to enter agreements with Winston-Salem Speedway LLC and Winston-Salem State University for a new scoreboard, with a city cost cap of $500,000. Passed 8–0.
• Property Conveyance: Approved the sale of 1101 North Cameron Avenue to Reginald Chapman for $212,000 with a 15-year affordability restriction. Passed 8–0.
• All Consent Agenda Items (C-1 through C-14) and other General Agenda Items (G-8 through G-14) were approved unanimously.
• Next Steps: The council will revisit the leave accrual proposal on August 4, 2025. The city manager’s office will conduct a three-year salary review starting with the fire department. The Capital Plan (2025-2031) will serve as a financial planning guide.