FRONT PAGE

NASHVILLE - Nearly two months after a Nashville Graphic reporter was barred from attending a meeting of the Nash County Public Safety Committee, with the reason then given that the committee was not a "public body," the issue of what does and does not constitute a public body- meaning that its contents are open to the public- has resulted in continued division between Nash County commissioners.
In an attempt to settle that and other issues- including whether a 'consensus' vote is the same as a regular vote- commissioners voted June 15th to invite a representative in from the UNC School of Government to make a presentation.

NASHVILLE - By a split vote of 5-2 and last minute exposition about the disparities between spending on the sheriffs office versus education, Nash County leaders have adopted the FY27 budget.
The budget, which maintains a tax rate of $0.63, totals $162,037,492, including multiple items added after it was first presented May 18th.
Added at the June 1st public hearing were $755,000 for fire departments; $325,000 for additional Sheriffs vehicles; $200,000 for capital improvement project seed funding and $50,000 for the lease or rent of EMS stations.

MOMEYER - The town of Momeyer has officially passed and adopted its FY 26-27 budget, which shows a modest bottom-line increase to $135,330 compared to $120,510 last year. The rise is from an anticipated 12.3% jump in revenues, primarily from more sales tax money.
A public hearing conducted June 9 at the Momeyer Fire Department attracted a small crowd, with Natalie Webb questioning the need for a generator at town hall.
A March 16 estimate for ALCO Electric to install a 26KW generator along with an accompanying hardwire and startup costs was $11,855, which did not include the costs of running a gas line.

ROCKY MOUNT - There's a new "Critter Marshal" in Town- or, more precisely, a new Animal Services Director at the Pet Connection Center, Nash County's animal shelter. Ashley Howell, who took the reins and saddled up for her responsibilities June 1st, has a background that will serve her well in her new position; one of her focal areas will be to strengthen spay and neuter programs.
Howell, who was born and raised in Little Washington, still lives there with her husband, two-year-old son, and two dogs.

Nashville Graphic Reporter Nancy West-Brake was presented the Service to Agriculture award from the North Carolina Association of County Agricultural Agents at their annual conference in Cherokee June 9th-11th. She was nominated by Nash County Cooperative Field Crops Extension Agent Brittany Pendleton. The nomination noted West-Brake's "outstanding contributions to agricultural journalism." Pendleton's nomination also stated, "Through her consistent, thoughtful, and community-rooted reporting, she has become a trusted voice for our farmers, youth, and rural families."