BY MILES LAYTON
HERTFORD — Looks like there is a thunderstorm ahead Saturday, so perhaps it’s a good time to get caught up with Hertford Town Council.
When Council meets for its regular session at 6 p.m. Monday, July 14, at the Horace Reid Community Center on West Grubb Street, Council members are expected to vote on Budget Amendment FY26-1, which includes a series of funding adjustments for the new fiscal year. The proposed changes reflect expenses originally scheduled for the previous fiscal year but delayed due to project timelines. These include:
- A $62,500 transfer for the town’s fitness court grant match,
- A $104,688 reallocation for technical services in the water department,
- And $8,250 designated for an ElectriCities study, funded through the town’s electric department.
Both Town Manager Doris Walton and Mayor Ashley Hodges have recommended approval of these amendments, which are aimed at aligning project spending with updated schedules and ensuring proper use of grant and departmental funds.
Council will also consider designating certain municipal assets as surplus property. If approved, these items could be sold or repurposed according to town policy, potentially generating revenue or clearing space for future projects.
A third key item on the agenda is a request to temporarily close a section of Church Street to accommodate the upcoming “Block is Hot” Party, a public event organized by the Perquimans County Sheriff’s Office and scheduled for Friday, July 25. The closure would impact the area between Grubb and Market streets between 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. to allow for safe pedestrian use during the evening celebration.
The “Block is Hot” event is expected to attract around 200 attendees and will include food, shaved ice, entertainment, a bouncy house, hydrant splash pad and community activities.
Council’s approval of the closure is necessary for the sheriff’s office and town departments to finalize logistics for traffic control, safety measures, and sanitation services.
Council meeting will also include any continued business from previous sessions and reports from town officials. Residents interested in town decisions or seeking to engage with local leadership are encouraged to attend or participate remotely. A full agenda and Zoom link are available on the town’s website: townofhertfordnc.com.
Flashback to late May — when most municipalities were preparing their budgets — Hertford was way ahead of the curve, adopting a budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26. From the Town’s website — Council approved a balanced budget of $8,251,680 for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
There is no increase in the property tax rate. It will remain at $.52 per $100 property value. The budget included a 3% COLA raise for employees and $25,000 for the purchase of cameras for the Sheriff’s Department. Water and sewer have increases that are part of a five-year plan adopted two years ago to balance that enterprise fund. The monthly basic electric rates will increase by $2 to cover the costs of purchased power.
Walton reported that the Town continues to be in a strong financial position. She added that though there is still work to be done that the Town is confident in its steady progress.
“The Town has experienced many positive developments that bring us closer to realizing the objectives outlined in our strategic plan,” she said.
Last notes — as of Thursday, Penni Brown had signed the line as a candidate for Hertford Town Council, according to the Board of Elections.
And Rhonda Sullivan Waters, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, community leader—and dedicated member of the Hertford Town Council—passed away peacefully on Monday, July 7, 2025, at the Elizabeth City Health & Rehabilitation Center. At 75, she had celebrated a life rich in family, service, and compassion.