Roanoke Rapids budget hearing weighs 4-cent tax increase

Roanoke Rapids heads into its June 2 budget hearing with a proposed 4-cent property-tax increase on the table and public safety at the center of the discussion.

The city said the manager submitted the fiscal year 2026-27 budget at the May 19 council meeting. The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall, where residents can comment before the council takes final action.

What the proposal would change

According to RRSpin, the proposed rate would rise from 64.1 cents to 68.1 cents per $100 of assessed value. That increase is not final yet, but it would be one of the main tools the council is considering to balance the budget.

Why the city says it needs the change

Local reporting said the city is also planning a heavier draw on reserve funds as leaders try to keep police and fire funding intact. For homeowners, the question is how much of the city’s budget gap should come from taxes now versus savings and spending cuts later.

The June 2 hearing is the next public checkpoint. Council members can still revise the plan before final adoption, so residents should watch for any changes to the tax rate, reserve use, or public-safety staffing before the budget is approved.

Sources

• City of Roanoke Rapids official website
• RRSpin: Four-cent tax increase on the table, council defends public safety