Coming out of a pandemic with limited resources, the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget approved by Asheville City Council June 22 still includes service improvements to our community, such as extended evening transit hours starting in October and expanded evening and weekend hours for youth at City Recreation Centers.
The budget, which goes into effect July 1, also includes one-time funding for a Neighborhood Grants Program. It fully restores funding for positions held vacant during the pandemic.
The $200 million budget is based on internal work, community input and Council priorities, and reflects a continuation of the reimagining public safety process.
By North Carolina law, all municipal budgets must be balanced budgets, and this one is just that. It’s a fiscally responsible budget that:
- Recommends a sustainable property tax rate of 40.30 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to fund investments in Council priorities;
- Continues funding core community services in a time of rising costs;
- Minimizes the impact of fee increases while maintaining services;
- Positions the City to move ahead with other key initiatives including continuing the reimagining public safety process and planning for the utilization of the recently approved American Rescue Act funding.
Key Investment categories:
- Youth
- Transportation
- Environment
- Economic Development
- Reparations
- Reimagining Public Safety (Safe Communities)
- Employees and workforce
- Neighborhoods and housing
To view the changes made to the Proposed Budget since it was presented to Council on May 28 click here to view the staff report.
For more information about the process, visit the Equity-Focused Budget Engagement webpage.