Roanoke Rapids City Council this evening approved a $14,458, 957 budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

City Manager Joseph Scherer's budget message changed little from last month when he told council there remains uncertainty in the state sales tax picture.

He said, however, the spending plan will maintain acceptable levels of services in the city with no layoffs and a 2 percent cost of living increase for employees.

The budget does contain what has been described as a revenue-neutral tax rate, which equates to 65.1 cents per $100 of valuation.

“This year was extremely tough,” Councilman Carl Ferebee said during discussion of the budget. “I know we are good stewards of the city's money, but I wish there were more people here tonight to see that … we had to work with what we had.”

Mayor Emery Doughtie explained the revenue-neutral tax rate, “Will not mean much of an increase in the amount you owe.”

Councilman Wayne Smith told department heads he wished the panel could have provided them more. “I know last year we promised it would get better. It's worse. I wonder if I should still sit up here. I appreciate what you all do.”

Councilwoman Carol Cowen made the motion to approve the budget while Suetta Scarbrough cast the second.

In another matter this evening, council approved a change in time for the second meeting of the month. It will now be at 5:15 p.m. rather than 7 p.m. unless otherwise publicly advertised.

Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, typically in the Lloyd Andrews City Hall on Jackson Street unless otherwise advertised.