A stalemate in talks with Lafayette Gatling on buying the Roanoke Rapids Theatre should not have a grave impact on the upcoming fiscal year budget, Mayor Emery Doughtie said following tonight’s council work session.

“We’re very committed to keeping the tax rate where it is,” the mayor said, adding the city will most likely use its fund balance to balance the financial plan. “You have the fund balance there. That’s why it’s there.”

It also appears there should be no personnel cuts as the city currently has nine positions already frozen.

Questions about the upcoming fiscal year budget came up after Interim City Manager Ed Wyatt discussed the city’s schedule for presenting the budget and plans to continue marketing the theater.

“We’re trying our very best to move this along in a timely manner,” Wyatt said of the theater marketing, which involves not only the city but the Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “That’s your top priority. We certainly will endeavor to accommodate your wishes.”

Wyatt described the current situation in discussions with Gatling as being at an impasse. “It’s been a relatively few number of months since we’ve taken over the theater. By and large it’s been well kept up.”

Wyatt said the city is considering renting several of the offices in the venue as a way of meeting operating costs.

The interim city manager said two weeks from now the city will unveil the proposed financial plan during a 5 p.m. meeting at city hall, which will include a PowerPoint presentation of the key aspects, followed by a June 5 public hearing.

Adoption of the budget is expected by June 30.