City Council Meeting (Mar 24, 2026)

City Council Meeting Recap: March 24, 2026

The Asheville City Council held a formal meeting on March 24, 2026, following a budget work session earlier that day. The session addressed the city’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget, infrastructure recovery efforts, and major service contracts. Key decisions included the adoption of new utility and service fees, the reservation of city-owned land for potential arts development, and the approval of a new transit contract.

Key Decisions The Council voted on six major items during the formal session:

• FY 2027 Fees & Charges: The Council adopted an ordinance establishing new fees and charges for Fiscal Year 2027 by a vote of 6-1. Councilmember Bo Hess voted against the measure. The changes include a solid waste fee increase, a 7.5% increase in stormwater rates, and the third year of a three-year water rate adjustment.
• Parkside Property Reservation: The Council unanimously passed a resolution reserving the city-owned “Parkside” property (approximately 2.43 acres) for up to two years. This allows staff to explore a mixed-use project anchored by an Arts & Entertainment facility while conducting public engagement with surrounding communities.
• Asheville Rides Transit (ART) Contract: The Council authorized a four-year contract with RATP Dev for the operations and maintenance of the ART fixed-route system by a vote of 4-3. Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley, Councilmember Sheneika Smith, and Councilmember Sage Turner voted against the resolution. The base contract amount is $54,899,942.
• Consent Agenda Items: The Council unanimously approved the combined minutes from the March 5 and March 10 meetings. They also unanimously passed resolutions authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Responder Support Services, LLC for behavioral health counseling, apply for a state grant for the Walton Street Park project, and increase the existing contract with Envisio Solutions, Inc. for software services.
• Proclamations: The Council unanimously declared March 2026 as “Procurement Month” and “Social Work Month,” and April 11, 2026, as “Arbor Day in the River Arts District.”

Discussion Highlights A significant portion of the meeting focused on the Parkside redevelopment proposal. Staff presented a plan to partner with ATG Entertainment to develop a new facility, noting that previous efforts to renovate the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium were deemed not cost-effective. The discussion emphasized the need for equitable community engagement, particularly with The Block and East End/Valley Street neighborhoods, given the site’s history.

During the budget work session, Finance Director Tony McDowell presented the FY 2027 General Fund budget, which projects a $16.8 million increase in expenses, largely driven by debt service for the 2024 General Obligation Bonds. Staff presented four compensation scenarios for discussion. Additionally, staff presented proposed changes to parking rates, including extending meter enforcement hours and adding new metered spaces in the South Slope, though these were not voted on during the formal meeting.

Community Input Public comments were received regarding the Parkside proposal and the ART contract. Commenters expressed concerns about the historical context of the Parkside site, specifically regarding past urban renewal practices and displacement of the Black community. They requested genuine, equitable engagement and shared decision-making power. Regarding the ART contract, public comments raised concerns about service quality, driver treatment, and the lack of alternative transit models.

Follow-ups

• Parkside: Staff will develop a comprehensive community engagement plan, explore financial partnerships, and draft a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for development partners.
• ART Contract: Budget staff will provide information about the financial impact of the contract. The city will explore collaboration with Buncombe County regarding transit services and legislative advocacy.
• Biltmore Village: In response to concerns raised about slow recovery, the City Manager committed to coordinating with various departments and providing written responses to the community.
• Budget/Compensation: Staff agreed to research a compensation scenario providing a flat dollar increase while reserving funds for a market study, and to provide a list of all recommended budget reduction strategies.
• Parking: Staff agreed to provide a side-by-side cost/benefit comparison for the South Slope parking expansion.

Impact The adoption of the FY 2027 fees and charges will result in an estimated annual increase of $67.14 for a typical residential household, covering solid waste, stormwater, and water services. The approval of the RATP Dev contract ensures the continuation of fixed-route bus service starting July 1, 2026, with new performance measures and staffing roles, including a Crisis Counselor. The reservation of the Parkside property initiates a two-year process to determine the future of the site, with a focus on community input before any final development decisions are made.