From Staff Reports

Asheville City Council held a public hearing on May 28 on the proposed $249.6 million budget for the next fiscal year that includes no tax increase, but nevertheless triggered a debate over city staff living wages, Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported on May 28.

In response to its critics at the session, “the city said there have been many public input opportunities, including a public comment session back in January, a survey and the public hearing on Tuesday,” News 13 noted.

Among the budget proposal’s highlights are the following:

• No change to the current property tax rate

• A focus on employee compensation and benefits

• Strategic use of the city’s fund balance to advance council’s priorities and balance the budget

• Continued funding for essential community services in a time of rising costs

• The typical residential household will see an impact of $19.98 increase for the next fiscal year.

“A key focus in the presentation is the recommended 4.11 percent compensation increase for all city staff,” News 13 stated. “This is not enough of an increase, according to Just Economics Director Vicki Meath.”

The 2024 living wage rate in Buncombe County is $22.10 an hour — and is based on the cost of housing in Asheville, according to Meath.

The living wage is “based on the idea that a single person could put a roof over their head and food on their table by affording rent,” News 13 quoted Meath as telling skeptics at the meeting.

The TV station added that “Meath said that there is an important distinction when it comes to the living wage rate and the pledged living wage rate. Their pledged living wage rate is $19 an hour — and comes along with a commitment for employers to raise wages 3 percent, plus inflation.”

Meath also was quoted by News 13 as saying, “The City of Asheville is not meeting our $22.10 rate, but they are working to meet our $19 an hour rate that many of the pledged employers in our region are meeting.”