City Manager Joseph Scherer called the $14.9 million budget viable, but tight. He said, however, the plan will continue to “provide quality services for all our citizens.”

The budget, with Councilwoman Carol Cowen not present, passed unanimously and includes a 3 percent cost of living raise for employees. It cuts out a curbside recycling plan for the upcoming fiscal year.

It upgrades equipment for several departments, Scherer said, but will leave the city “continuing to search for ways to minimize costs.”

The budget keeps other items that council reached a consensus on during a budget work session last week.

He thanked Finance Director MeLinda Hite and department heads for “developing a realistic budget for the city.”

Passage of the financial plan comes as the city continues to look for ways to shed itself of the debt incurred by what was known as the Roanoke Rapids Theatre, whose payments, Mayor Emery Doughtie said following the meeting, account for about 25 percent of the some $6 million in ad valorem taxes collected annually in the city. “It's painful not being able to do the things we need to do.”.

The city, according to Doughtie, used some $300,000 in undesignated fund balance to balance this year's budget. Over the course of the next fiscal year, he said, “We will discuss looking at larger things.”

Part of that could be looking at referendums to see if the citizens are willing to fund items such as badly needed storm drainage repairs.

Scherer said following the meeting he is currently looking into options that would use local or regional commercial real estate brokers to market the theater.

He also suggested during his report to have a council-manager retreat in the next few months to look at some of the bigger picture issues.

In other matters this evening council:

• Approved the new comprehensive land use and community health plan to help guide future growth in the city.

Planning and Development Director Kelly Lasky told the panel, “This is a living document.”

The plan replaces one that has in been in use since 1989.

• Was told by Lasky that Zaxby's plans to submit further plans for the construction of a restaurant on Julian R. Allsbrook Highway at the site of the now-demolished Marathon gas station and store near Waffle House.