In one minute
City Council regular meeting (June 9, 2026). Council approved the FY27 consolidated budget and tax levy, multiple proclamations and event requests, sale of city property at 2153 Boundary Street, a number of resolutions and authorizations (including waterfront option two RFQ and Duke Streetscape contract authorization), several board appointments, a 5% adjustment to the city manager's compensation, and moved into executive session. Public commenters addressed a regional single-use plastics ordinance, trails and sports/recreation, budget priorities (waterfront, strategic partners), and questions about the city manager's compensation and evaluation.
Executive summary
Key outcomes: (1) Ordinance adopting the FY27 consolidated budget and levying taxes for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027 was adopted (presentation and second-reading vote recorded). (source_note: transcript 38:21–46:10; vote 1:33:06–1:33:31). (2) Sale of city-owned property at 2153 Boundary Street approved (second reading; purchase price $390,000). (source_note: transcript 1:33:46–1:34:46). (3) Council adopted a resolution supporting Waterfront Advisory Committee Option Two for the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park relieving platform and authorized staff to proceed with an RFQ for engineering/design/permitting (source_note: transcript 2:04:24–2:05:53; 2:06:17–2:06:34). (4) Authorization given for city manager to execute the Duke Streetscape construction contract (bid awarded to JH Hires Construction) (source_note: transcript 2:09:11–2:10:30). (5) Authorization given for city manager to enter into an agreement for real estate brokerage services (selection committee recommended Robert T. Jones Jr.) (source_note: transcript 2:12:00–2:13:08). (6) Multiple proclamations, event permits (Fourth of July at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park; Roots of Liberty on July 1), appointments to boards/committees, and a 5% salary increase for the city manager were approved. (source_notes: proclamations 4:29–6:34; Carolina Day 10:06–11:54; events 1:39:04–1:42:45; Roots of Liberty 1:42:52–1:46:43; appointments 2:15:07–2:16:57; compensation 2:17:06–2:18:35).
Why it matters
Adoption of the FY27 consolidated budget (total $70.17M) sets city priorities and funds capital projects including waterfront work and Duke Street streetscape; the waterfront Option Two approval advances design/permitting work for a critical public asset; approval of property sale and streetscape contract affect downtown land use and near-term construction/utility work; appointments and compensation changes affect city governance and administration. (source_notes: budget presentation 39:06–46:02; waterfront RFQ 2:04:24–2:05:53; sale 1:34:02–1:34:25; Duke Streetscape 2:09:28–2:10:06; appointments and compensation 2:15:07–2:18:35).
Key decisions
Source/Context: Council asked for a motion, motion seconded; vote: 'All in favor... I' and 'Any oppose? Hearing none. Motion carries.' (transcript 4:16–4:24).
Source/Context: Motion and second; 'All in favor signify by saying I.' (transcript 4:29–6:34; vote 4:37–4:42).
Source/Context: Motion and second; 'All in favor signify by saying I.' (transcript 7:01–9:01; vote 7:07–7:16).
Source/Context: Motion, reading, and vote recorded: 'All in favor signify by saying I.' (transcript 10:06–11:46; vote 10:06–10:12).
Source/Context: Motion and second; 'All in favor signify by saying I.' (transcript 13:42–15:25; vote 13:51–13:56).
Source/Context: Motion to approve consent agenda and minutes; votes recorded with 'All in favor signify by saying I.' (transcript 37:18–38:12; votes 37:18–37:59).
Source/Context: Presentation of FY27 consolidated budget and discussion (transcript 39:06–46:02); call for question and vote on ordinance adopting levy and consolidated budget recorded at 1:33:06–1:33:31 ('All in favor... I').
Agenda items
Meeting called to order; invocation and Pledge of Allegiance led by mayor. Opening remarks and invocation were offered. (transcript 2:19–3:23).
Source/Context: Mayor called the meeting to order and led invocation and pledge (transcript 2:19–3:23).
Council moved and approved the meeting agenda by voice vote. (motion carried).
Source/Context: Motion to approve agenda and vote: 'All in favor... I' and 'Any oppose? Hearing none. Motion carries.' (transcript 4:16–4:24).
Proclamations presented and approved including: Karina Desai Bufort Middle School student of the month (May 2026), retirement of Dr. Steven R. Wise, Carolina Day (June 28, 2026), 75th anniversary of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 12.
Source/Context: Proclamations presented and approved; votes recorded: Karina Desai (4:29–6:34; vote 4:37–4:42), Dr. Wise retirement (7:01–9:01; vote 7:07–7:16), Carolina Day (10:06–11:54; vote 10:06–10:12), DAV Chapter 12 (13:42–15:25; vote 13:51–13:56).
Members of the public addressed council on a regional single-use plastics ordinance; sports/trails; budget priorities including waterfront funding and strategic partner spending; and city manager compensation/performance transparency. Speakers provided names and addresses for the record.
1511 Sycamore Street1809 Boundary Street802 Godfrey Street
Motions
Source/Context: Motion to approve agenda, seconded; 'All in favor... I' and 'Any oppose? Hearing none. Motion carries.' (transcript 4:16–4:24).
Source/Context: Budget presentation then call for question and vote on ordinance adopting levy and consolidated budget recorded at 1:33:06–1:33:31 ('All in favor... I'). (transcript 39:06–46:02; 1:33:06–1:33:31).
Source/Context: Staff summary of sale terms; second-reading vote recorded: 'All in favor... signify by saying I.' (transcript 1:33:46–1:34:46).
Source/Context: WAC recommendation presented; council adopted resolution to proceed with RFQ; vote recorded: 'All in favor... I I I.' (transcript 2:04:24–2:05:53; 2:09:01–2:09:11).
Source/Context: Bid summaries and funding sources presented; council authorized city manager to finalize and execute contract: vote recorded 'All in favor... I.' (transcript 2:09:19–2:10:14; vote 2:11:45).
Source/Context: RFP review and selection committee recommendation described; council authorized agreement: 'All in favor... I.' (transcript 2:12:00–2:13:08; vote 2:14:46–2:14:53).
Official sources
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