2 weeks Ago
It includes the truck. But it also involves water, land and services. The county Board of Supervisors and the Town Council voted to approve proposals that would set in motion a series of agreements with the most notable being a shift in the town and county boundary which will increase the town’s overall footprint.
The change will bring land with a total assessed value of $159.6 million into the town limits. It was unclear Tuesday night how many acres encompass the land deal.
“This grew out of a discussion that started early this year or the end of last year about the purchase of a fire truck for the town of Rocky Mount,” said County Attorney Jim Guynn Jr. “In the course of those discussions we expanded those discussions to look at a more comprehensive agreement between the town and county that would cover a number of issues that we see currently as well as looking into the future.” The town initially requested additional funding from the county in June of last year for the purchase of the fire truck.
That initial request was for an increase of $200,000 in funding over the next 20 years. Those negotiations eventually broke down until earlier this year when the two localities agreed to restart discussions. Guynn and County Administrator Chris Whitlow held regular meetings with town Mayor Holland Perdue and Town Manager Robert Wood.
With the new agreement approved Tuesday, Franklin County agreed to provide $800,000 toward the purchase of the new fire truck and, starting in 2031, begin funding 60% of the town’s fire apparatus purchases. The historic agreement also includes Rocky Mount expanding the capacity of its wastewater treatment plant to double the wastewater capacity for Franklin County’s Summit View Business Park from 400,000 gallons per day to 700,000 gallons per day. The county is agreeing to also make a one-time payment to Rocky Mount of $200,000 for the increased capacity.
Also included in the agreement is a swap in ownership of two buildings located in Rocky Mount’s downtown. The county will transfer ownership of 445 Franklin Street to Rocky Mount and Rocky Mount will transfer ownership of 85 West Court Street to Franklin County. The boundary line adjustment will add a significant portion of land mostly to its western end, though this change will require a public hearing before a final vote is held.
A public hearing is expected to be advertised in the coming months. Following the vote Tuesday, Wood said many of those properties that will be added into the town already receive town services such as water and sewer. The change will allow them to get additional services such as solid waste removal, he said.
Rocky Mount District Supervisor Mike Carter moved for the vote on Tuesday that supervisors approved unanimously. Boone District representative Ronnie Thompson was absent. “As the Rocky Mount representative on the Board of Supervisors, I am thrilled to announce this groundbreaking agreement between the county and Town of Rocky Mount,” Carter said in a news release following the vote.
“This collaboration not only bolsters the Rocky Mount Volunteer Fire Department with essential funding for a new fire truck but also strengthens our shared infrastructure. By increasing wastewater capacity for the county and ensuring collaborative support for solid waste management, we are setting a foundation for sustainable growth. The boundary adjustment and property exchange further symbolize our commitment to cooperative progress.
Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient community that can face the future with confidence.” Perdue also shared his support for the agreement in a press release on Tuesday. The town council similarly voted unanimously in favor of the agreement.
Council member Mark Newbill was absent. “I am proud that our two elected bodies have collaborated on these agreements that will provide good governance,” Perdue said. “This is a prime example of that.
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