The perfect storm of revenue overhauls in Raleigh, a property revaluation and a major reorganization of city departments make this year’s city of Asheville budget complicated, to say the least. Here’s some important things to know before tonight’s public hearing.
Tag: general assembly
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Emails reveal state reps trying to settle Asheville water lawsuit, may change city elections
Emails obtained by Xpress reveal that some state legislators have asked city of Asheville representatives to drop their lawsuit contesting a state-mandated transfer of the water system to the Metropolitan Sewerage District. The emails also show legislators discussing the fate of legislation that consolidates Asheville and Buncombe County parks-and-recreation services — a move that could save the city $5 million a year. Further, the candid discussions shine a light on a long-rumored proposal that the state may force Asheville to switch to district-based elections.
Asheville City Council preview: counting coins
After much discussion, projections of potential fiscal disaster, and speculation about the next legislation to issue forth from Raleigh, the city of Asheville’s budget is finally unveiled at tonight’s Asheville City Council meeting.
Asheville City Council tentatively endorses budget plan, uncertainties remain
While noting that much of its fate remains in the hands of the state legislature, at a special meeting this morning Asheville City Council gave staff the go-ahead to start drafting a budget based on a plan that calls for a 1 cent property tax increase and assumes the city and county may consolidate their parks and recreation operations by January.
Council announces delay in water system takeover, passes energy financing
At a relatively brief Asheville City Council meeting tonight, city staff announced that a judge in Wake County has agreed to delay a state law forcibly transferring the water system. Council also approved $1.1 million in financing for energy efficiency improvements and the creation of a new multimodal transportation commission.
All swing together: city, Democratic legislators defend suing state over water bill
Friday morning, Asheville city officials past and present were joined by some of the local legislative delegation to voice their opposition to a state bill that would forcibly transfer the water system to a new regional authority and the Metropolitan Sewerage District. At the press conference they supported City Council’s decision to sue the state in an attempt to halt the new law.
Asheville’s going to court: Council votes to sue state over water bill
At a special meeting tonight, May 7, Asheville City Council members voted unanimously to sue the state of North Carolina over a bill forcibly transferring the city’s water system to the Metropolitan Sewerage District. City Attorney Bob Oast cited “legal, constitutional, and practical issues” with the mandate.
What happens to Asheville’s water system on May 15?
As a forcible transfer of Asheville’s water system to the Metropolitan Sewerage District clears its last legislative hurdles in Raleigh, city staff say relinquishing the system by May 15, as the bill requires, is an administrative impossibility. So what happens to the city’s water system in two weeks? “That’s a good question,” Water Resources Director Steve Shoaf says.
Cuts threaten to end legal help for 2,200 domestic violence victims
A $330,000 reduction in Pisgah Legal Services’ state and federal funding could leave more than 2,200 local domestic-violence victims without legal assistance. The Asheville-based nonprofit is scrambling to close the gap but may reduce services.
Council contemplates tax increase, possible water lawsuit, approves Whole Foods development
Tonight, Asheville City Council discussed a possible tax hike to help offset some financial impacts that pending state legislation could have on the current budget crunch, and Mayor Terry Bellamy said she’d vote to sue the state if it went through with a proposal to forcibly transfer the city’s water system to the Metropolitan Sewerage District. Council also approved a Tunnel Road commercial development anchored by a Whole Foods.
How we got here: A primer on Asheville’s budget crunch
The city of Asheville has dealt with budget concerns for a number of years now, but this year state legislation has pushed a manageable situation into a dire one, to hear staff and Asheville City Council tell it. How did the city get here?
Voting rights curtailed
House Bill 451, filed with the state legislature on March 27, will cut a full week of early voting and abolish voting on Sunday. While conservative politicians claim that this will save a large sum of tax dollars, little consideration has been given to the impact this bill would have on impoverished and working-class voters. […]
Asheville City Council will hold budget crunch town hall April 18
Asheville City Council will hold a special town hall meeting on its budget situation — including the possibility of dramatic cuts — next Thursday, April 18, in the gymnasium of Koontz Intermediate School at 305 Overlook Rd.
Asheville City Council: Redux
A vote on a living wage was delayed, the Business Improvement District was shelved, and Asheville City Council once again voted for a resolution opposing state legislation taking its water system. Also: Council will hold another budget town hall April 18 at 6 p.m. in South Asheville.
Emotions high as Asheville City Council raises specter of sharp service cuts
To hear Asheville City Council and city staff tell it, a manageable budget gap is now a potential crisis, thanks to proposed state legislation affecting areas from the water system to business licenses. To close the $5.9 million gap, staff have proposed sharp cuts in everything from public safety to transit to parks and recreation. At a special town hall meeting today, city residents exhorted Council against certain cuts and criticized state legislators (and occasionally the city too).
LIVE: coverage of Asheville’s budget crunch town hall
Follow live Twitter coverage of this afternoon’s town hall meeting on the city of Asheville’s budget crunch, and the radical cuts proposed to close a potential $5 million gap anticipated from state legislation. The meeting begins at 2 p.m.
Crunch time: City holds special budget town hall this afternoon, considering major cuts
A tax revaluation, rising expenses, and a barrage of state legislation are all creating a chaotic budget year for the city of Asheville. This afternoon, Asheville City Council and city staff will discuss the issues and invite the public’s input at a special 2 p.m. town hall meeting in the U.S. Cellular Center banquet hall.
Old disputes at heart of bill that transfers water system to MSD
About seven years ago, the Regional Water Authority of Asheville, Buncombe and Henderson County fell apart. The creation of what had been an historic agreement involving the three governments, ongoing disputes and frustrations led Asheville officials to end the partnership in 2005. Fast-forward to the March 28 filing of House Bill 488, which transfers the Asheville water system to the Metropolitan Sewerage District.
McGrady, Moffitt, Ramsey file bill to move control of Asheville’s water system to MSD
State representatives Chuck McGrady, Tim Moffitt, and Nathan Ramsey have filed a bill to take control of Asheville’s water system and transfer it to the Metropolitan Sewerage District.
Density, money, state politics on Council’s radar for this year
At their retreat yesterday, Asheville City Council members discussed a variety of topics facing the city, focusing especially on density, budget issues, the effect of state legislation, and even a possible overhaul in the way city government deals with the arts.
Apodaca proposes making violations of open records, public meetings laws a misdemeanor
State Sen. Tom Apodaca is sponsoring a bill that would make violations of the state’s open records and public meetings laws a misdemeanor. Currently, civil action is the only way to enforce those laws.