KANNAPOLIS — History and transit dominated conversation in the Kannapolis 2027 budget public hearing, with some residents expressing support for a new history museum and welcome center while others urged the City Council to reconsider cutting transit funding.
During the June 9 Kannapolis City Council meeting, residents shared opinions on the proposed budget and council heard updates on the budget based on initial discussion on May 21.
Assistant City Manager Kristin Jones presented the changes made in the proposed budget which include a cut to the Swanee Theatre subsidy to $200,000 from the general fund. This is a more than $250,000 cut to the funding compared to the original budget. They also changed the timeline for the theater to become self-sustaining to 18 months rather than three years.
Additionally, they recommended reducing the contract with Odell Fire by $168,000 for the next three years, making the Kannapolis investment roughly $500,000 a year.
To balance the budget, they added over $520,000 toward debt service for “fire protection and satellite location for police in western part of the city.” Also based on higher March 2026 sales tax returns, the budget office decided to increase the estimation of sales tax collections by roughly $101,000; however, they also decreased estimated revenue from the Swanee by $50,000. Ultimately, this set the total general fund budget from $89.77 million to $89.82 million.
After hearing initial reports on budget changes, the City Council opened the floor to public comment.
Reinstating CK Rider funding
After the City Council announced its intentions in March to cut roughly 47 percent of the transit budget, eliminating the brown route, changing the blue route and cutting weekend service. Since then, community members have come forward asking the council to reconsider the cuts, and the budget public hearing was no different.
The proposed changed route takes some stops from the brown route and integrates it into the blue route and connects the green route closer to the blue route. However, it cuts the green and blue routes for weekend use, and transfers to the blue route from other lines will not be available after 6:30 p.m.
Some brought up questions about the City Council’s intention to actually look into microtransit. Brad Spry noted that the Kannapolis officials have already been told that microtransit could cost up to 11 times more per passenger compared to the CK Rider system.
“If the council believes microtransit is the fiscally responsible path forward, I would ask them to consult their own records before going further,” Spry said. “Rider staff concluded plainly that microtransit cannot in the long run carry more people for less money.”
Justin Lewter noted that these cuts would impact primarily the most vulnerable people in Kannapolis.
“The people you’re asking to bear the brunt of these budgetary cuts. You’re not asking our wealthiest folks. You’re asking the folks that are hurting the most,” Lewter said. “The cuts you guys are making are hurting the most vulnerable in this city, and it will not be forgotten.”
Many people with personal pleas came forward requesting the full routes be reinstated. Tricia Douglas who lives on the brown route and relies on it for transportation said that she has started trying to find alternatives but found out paratransit would no longer serve her area if the route is cut and the Cabarrus County services are only medical.
According to the CK Rider website, paratransit is offered within three-fourths of a mile from existing routes, so much of Kannapolis will still be covered but some may be outside the zone.
Some expressed concern for family members who cannot drive and rely on the bus to get to work, medical appointments and for groceries.
“If your goal is to build a community where everyone, everyone is able to thrive, eliminating the brown route and taking away services from the other routes is cutting off a lifeline for people to get to work, doctors’ appointments, to go to the grocery store,” Michael Cole said.
As a reflection of the priorities for the new City Council, some urged the council to consider the message that the funding cut is sending to residents.
“Perception is everything. It comes across as the new priorities are going to be balanced on the backs of those who are less fortunate,” Centerview Baptist Church Pastor Willie Rash said.
The new CK Rider transit system will have a public comment period on Thursday, June 11, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the transit center at 45 Transit Court NW in Concord.
History museum and welcome center
Before the official public comment for the 2027 budget, some people expressed their support for a potential history museum and welcome center during regular public comment.
Members of the Kannapolis History Associates and Kannapolis African American Museum and Cultural Center, KAAMCC, expressed their support for the museum and welcome center as a potential place for their work to land.
“Visitor centers and museums serve as a living repository of a city’s history, art and natural heritage. They interpret stories from multiple perspectives, helping residents and visitors understand the city’s identity and place in a broader context,” Gary Walter said.
KAAMCC has been around for over 13 years in the city but has never had a permanent location to display their collections. They are hoping that this is the project that could highlight their work.
“We recognize this initiative as a significant and exciting opportunity to preserve, interpret and share the rich history of Kannapolis for generations to come. We commend the city for taking this important step to strengthen historical preservation, education, tourism and community engagement throughout our city,” President and CEO of KAAMCC Jacqueline Anthony said.
Phil Goodman emphasized that this investment is not taking away from CK Rider or the Eastside Park project that is not included in this budget but potentially going to be bond funded. However, he called out the former mayor Darrell Hinnant for changing his position on the project, as Goodman claims that Hinnant formerly intended to purchase the North Kannapolis Methodist church outside of town for a similar project a few years ago.
“It is interesting that our former mayor now finds it a waste of time and energy to establish a welcome center and history museum,” Goodman said. “For the first time in many years, Kannapolis has a City Council that is focused on city needs and is working diligently to resolve some very difficult issues that have been neglected or swept under the carpet by the previous administration.”
Hinnant responded to these claims when he spoke during the budget public comment. He argued that he is not against a welcome center or history museum but does not support the proposed plan to put them in the former Wells Fargo building. He believes that the building does not have enough room for all of the groups that are being promised.
He expressed concerns about the prioritizing of funds all the way through the budget.
“I have seen 24 Kannapolis budgets. This is the worst budget I’ve ever seen for our citizens,” Hinnant said.
The City Council will consider passing the budget at their June 22 meeting before the deadline of June 30.
