Roanoke Rapids City Council tonight scrapped plans for a bridge and fountain at Cedarwood Cemetery and, instead, agreed to fund the Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad $10,000.

The appropriation was part of the upcoming fiscal year budget, which council unanimously approved.

Amendments to the financial plan, which becomes effective July 1, also include $165,000 to fund critical storm drainage repairs, Interim City Manager Ed Wyatt told council.

“Tonight culminates the process for the budget for next fiscal year,” he said. “Staff has been working diligently on the budget since last fall.”

Wyatt said the budget preserves services at the same level as the current plan. “We have a dedicated staff. I believe we have a very lean budget that provides the same level of services.”

Wyatt said the critical projects Public Works must undertake with storm drainage needs to be done before it becomes a bigger problem.

Finance Director MeLinda Hite told council those projects include Smoot Drive, Second and Franklin streets, Stoneybrook and Carolina Street.

Hite said the money for the cemetery project was scrapped and $165,000 pulled from fund balance to fund the storm drainage projects.

“We’re continuing to try to provide the best services we can,” Mayor Emery Doughtie said. “It’s difficult when we have an emergency situation. It’s pretty much a reflection of last year.”

Doughtie said he was pleased the now $14,441,018 plan provided employees a cost of living increase and was done without a tax increase.

Councilwoman Suetta Scarbrough said she believed the cemetery request was a want rather than a need.

Wayne Smith, a member of the rescue squad’s board of directors who requested funding last week, said he was glad council added the funds to the budget. “I appreciate what the city council did to find us some money. We can repair equipment we have.”

Public Works Director Larry Chalker said following the meeting Smoot Drive would be the first priority. The storm drainage issues could lead to flooding and sinkholes in all the critical areas. A sinkhole has already formed at Second and Franklin streets and barricades have been set up around it.

Smoot Drive is $75,000 project while Second and Franklin is a $55,000 project. The Stoneybrook project will cost $12,000 and Carolina Avenue $23,000.