Bad decisions and overspending have led the city of Rocky Mount to the brink of financial collapse, according to a report released Monday by the North Carolina State Auditor’s office.
The report found what authors described as a combination of “poor personnel decisions” and “egregious overspending” contributing to the city’s economic woes, including hiring a “stretch candidate” — someone who doesn’t meet all the requirements but may be able to learn — as city manager.
Rocky Mount paid a search firm $38,000 to recruit Keith Rogers Jr. as city manager, according to the audit. Although the firm described him as a “stretch candidate,” the report says there is no evidence the city conducted reference checks “or any other due diligence.”
The city council voted to hire Rogers in Dec. 2022, and he began the position in March 2023, according to Rocky Mount Telegram. He resigned in Sept. 2024.
State Auditor Dave Boliek said at a press conference on Monday that Rocky Mount residents were right to worry about their city and its financial decisions.
“Put simply, the city just spent more than it had,” Boliek told reporters. “Costs were going up, while cash took a nosedive at an incredibly fast pace.”
Boliek’s office started its investigation after the city admitted a budget crisis in late 2025.
Between August 2023 and August 2025, the city’s cash and investment balance decreased by 78%, from approximately $100 million to just $21.8 million, according to the report.
In the same period, Rocky Mount’s total annual purchases and other payments rose to more than $300 million, which the city council “enabled,” the report said.
While the city increased employee compensation by 27% and capital purchases by 153%, revenues decreased by 2%.
Rogers oversaw the city overspending its budget by $1 million, according to the report.
“This overspending — driven by an unqualified city manager and an enabling city council — has caused tremendous financial damage to the city of Rocky Mount, the wallets of residents, and residents’ confidence in their government,” Boliek said. “Rocky Mount remains far from full financial recovery.”
Boliek’s office made recommendations to improve the city’s financial stability, such as mandating a comprehensive financial impact analysis and ensuring qualified financial leadership.
The state auditor and his team are also looking into issues with Rocky Mount’s utility billing and property taxes.
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