Roanoke Rapids City Council Tuesday unanimously approved a budget amendment that accounts for $37,277.50 and adjusts the city’s total allocation of occupancy tax funds from the Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau from $77,000 to $114,277.50.
The city had originally budgeted $77,000 for fiscal year 2025, Finance Director Carmen Johnson told the panel while the HCCVB board had approved the $114,277.50.
The city’s occupancy tax funding expenditures for the fiscal year include the following:
Roanoke Canal Museum operations — $10,000
Field enhancement — $25,000
Carry forward — $9,277.50
Special projects — $70,000
Museum
According to a letter from City Manager Kelly Traynham to the HCCVB in October, the funds would be used to cover the hours of operation. The museum is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday with part-time staffing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Special projects
The letter says a budget of $55,000 from special projects is recommended to repurpose dilapidated tennis courts at Rochelle Park into three pickleball courts. “Pickleball is an up and coming sport that has drawn the attention of retiree-aged adults. This renovation will be appealing to retirees visiting the area and would be an added amenity for them to choose Roanoke Rapids, Halifax County as their new home.”
Special projects, field enhancements and carry forward
This would be used for scoreboards for a total budget of $49,277.50 — $15,000 from special projects, $25,000 from field enhancements, and $9,277.50 from carry forward.
According to the letter, the money is requested for scoreboards at the Ledgerwood Athletic Complex. “This complex has hosted multiple tournaments over the past several years and has the bid to host a 15- to 20-team tournament in July.”
The letter notes the tournament will have many of the hotel rooms in the city booked for multiple days and visitors eating and shopping locally.
Four scoreboards are needed at $12,957.50 each.
Emry Park skatepark
The letter notes the city has allocated $15,000 for the beginner skatepark and an additional $15,000 has been requested.
The letter says an October 8, 2024 email from the HCCVB indicates the project doesn’t conform to the organization’s legislation.