GREENSBORO, N.C. — An increased property tax rate, a monthly fee for the city recycling program and raising the minimum wage for city 'roster' employees were among the recommendations made for Greensboro's 2019-2020 budget Tuesday night.
City Manager David Parrish recommended increasing the property tax rate by three cents to 66.25 cents per $100 property valuation. Greensboro's last property tax increase was 11 years ago and included in the Fiscal Year 2007-08 budget.
“This recommended budget is a step toward long-term stability for our City budget,” Parrish said. “It maintains our AAA bond rating, allows us to improve vital infrastructure and addresses key Council priorities such as affordable housing, economic efforts around M/WBE, maintaining our recycling program and addressing transit needs.”
The budget totaled $566.1 million. The city council will vote on the budget June 18.
The proposal included improvements to further strengthen the Greensboro Science Center, transportation, M/WBE and small businesses, libraries, zoning, and Parks and Recreation’s Plan Plan2Play Master Plan. It also includes the City Council's goal to raise the minimum wage for all 'general roster' employees from $12.50 to $13.50 per hour. The plan would raise the pay to $15 per hour for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.
The city says it would implement a $2.50 per month per household fee allowing it to continue the recycling program. Water and sewer rates would increase by four percent for both customers inside and outside the city limits. The average bill for a customer inside the city limits will increase $1.81 per month, while the average bill for a customer outside the city limits will increase $4.52 per month.
► Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the WFMY News 2 App: Apple Users, Android Users