During its June 19 meeting, Greensboro City Council approved a $543.5 million budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year.

At City Council’s direction, the approved budget maintains the current City property tax rate of 63.25 cents per $100 property valuation for the 9th consecutive year. The budget fully funds the 2008, 2009 and 2016 bond referenda passed by Greensboro voters. The budget also includes several Council directed employee compensation items that ensure our salaries remain market competitive, including advancing minimum wage for benefited employees to $15 per hour and pay structure adjustments for employees.

To support on-going water and sewer maintenance, rehabilitation, regulatory, and capital replacement needs, a water and sewer rate increase of 3.5 percent for all users is included, effective July 1. Despite the increase, Greensboro residents still maintain one of the lowest rates in North Carolina.

The approved budget also includes $1.3 million for nonprofit community groups. It also approved an average three percent merit increase for eligible City employees. Finally, the budget also continues the City’s efforts to continue to offer employees a significant benefits package.