# City Council Meeting (May 26, 2026)

**Body:** City of Asheville — City Council
**Date:** May 26, 2026 5:00 PM EDT (2026-05-26T17:00:00-04:00)
**Location:** 70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477

## Summary

**Asheville City Council Meeting Recap: May 26, 2026**

The City Council convened on May 26, 2026, for a formal meeting focused on financial approvals, budget planning, and community development initiatives. The session included a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Annual Operating Budget and a separate public hearing regarding the 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME programs. The Council also reviewed routine capital projects and administrative updates provided by the City Manager.

**Key Decisions and Votes**

The Council approved the Consent Agenda, which included the approval of minutes from previous meetings and several resolutions. Specifically, the Council voted to approve an amendment to a financing agreement allowing up to $40 million in debt for capital projects, including public safety, transportation, and facility maintenance. The Council also unanimously approved an increase in funding for the Litter and Cleanliness Program, authorizing contract amendments with WNC Landscaping LLC and Steri-Clean of NC to extend renewal periods and increase funding to a not-to-exceed amount of $1,073,640. Additionally, the Council authorized an amendment to the contract with Weisiger Group (d/b/a Carolina CAT) for heavy truck repair services. The Council also approved a resolution modifying the City Council meeting schedule, establishing new Policy, Finance & Infrastructure (PFI) Worksession dates starting in July 2026. Proclamations included declaring June 2026 as the "14th Annual Pollinator Celebration Month."

**Discussion Highlights**

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the proposed FY27 budget, which totals $275.6 million and includes a 4.95 cent property tax rate increase. Council members discussed cost-saving measures, including the elimination of 16.5 vacant positions, reduced community center hours, and the pausing of contributions to the Housing Trust Fund and Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust Fund. The budget also proposes eliminating the 1% employee 401(k) match. Regarding employee compensation, the Council discussed a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for permanent staff and a proposed minimum wage increase for temporary and seasonal workers. Staff noted that while a $20/hour minimum for temporary workers was proposed, they do not recommend immediate implementation pending a comprehensive compensation study. The Council also reviewed a Capital Improvement Program update, highlighting progress on the Municipal Building repairs, Biltmore Village infrastructure, and other projects.

**Community Input**

During the public hearings, residents provided comments on the budget and CDBG/HOME funding plans. Concerns were raised regarding the responsiveness of the Council to public input and transparency, particularly regarding past decisions related to the Business Improvement District (BID). Council members acknowledged the importance of listening to residents and pledged to improve communication and transparency. Public comment on the CDBG and HOME programs remained open until June 5, 2026, with comments to be presented to the Council on June 9, 2026.

**Follow-ups and Next Steps**

The Council will vote on the final FY27 budget and the CDBG/HOME Annual Action Plan at the next meeting on June 9, 2026. A comprehensive study of city employee salaries is planned to ensure fair compensation. A briefing on the EPA-mandated lead pipe replacement project is scheduled for a committee meeting on July 21. Staff will provide a memorandum detailing the impact of proposed hour reductions at community centers, due May 28, 2026. The City Manager or Finance Director is responsible for pursuing the $40 million debt financing, with a plan to refinance into a long-term loan around July 2028. The Local Government Commission is expected to approve the bond plan in their June meeting.

## Agenda

- [Resolution approving an amendment to an installment financing contract to provide for the financing of additional projects and authorizing the City Manager or the Finance Director to pursue on behalf of the City debt financing for capital projects with a draw program that includes an installment financing and the related issuance of interim Limited Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $40,000,000 for construction of various general government capital projects.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477/item/13405)
- [Resolution authorizing an increase in the total project funding for the Litter and Cleanliness Program and authorizing the City Manager to execute contract amendments with WNC Landscaping LLC and Steri-Clean of NC to increase each total contract amount for litter and and biohazardous debris collection and extend renewal periods.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477/item/13406)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract amendment with Weisiger Group / d/ba/a Carolina Caterpillar for Heavy Truck Repair and Service to supplement Fleet Maintenance for 3 years if the final optional renewal is exercised.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477/item/13407)
- [Resolution amending the 2026 City Council meeting schedule to revise the Policy, Finance & Infrastructure Worksessions to be the 4th Tuesday of every other month beginning in July, 2026 - with the following dates for the remainder of 2026 - June 23, July 28, September 22 and November 10 (rescheduled from November 24, 2026).](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477/item/13408)
- [Manager’s Report - 3rd Quarter Fiscal Year 2025-26 Capital Update](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477/item/13409)
- [Public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Annual Operating Budget](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477/item/13410)
- [Public hearing to consider the submission of the 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant Program and HOME Investment Partnerships Program to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477/item/13411)

## Votes

- Resolution authorizing an increase in the total project funding for the Litter and Cleanliness Program and authorizing the City Manager to execute contract amendments with WNC Landscaping LLC and Steri-Clean of NC to increase each total contract amount for litter and and biohazardous debris collection and extend renewal periods. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract amendment with Weisiger Group / d/ba/a Carolina Caterpillar for Heavy Truck Repair and Service to supplement Fleet Maintenance for 3 years if the final optional renewal is exercised. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution approving an amendment to an installment financing contract to provide for the financing of additional projects and authorizing the City Manager or the Finance Director to pursue on behalf of the City debt financing for capital projects with a draw program that includes an installment financing and the related issuance of interim Limited Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $40,000,000 for construction of various general government capital projects. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution amending the 2026 City Council meeting schedule to revise the Policy, Finance & Infrastructure Worksessions to be the 4th Tuesday of every other month beginning in July, 2026 - with the following dates for the remainder of 2026 - June 23, July 28, September 22 and November 10 (rescheduled from November 24, 2026). — Passed, 7-0

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve1dEYMm6o0
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/1907/segments

## Documents

- [Consent B - Asheville 2026 LOBS Draw Program.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477?document=8227)
- [Agenda.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477?document=8226)
- [Public Hearing A - Budget Presentation.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477?document=8224)
- [Consent A - Minutes.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477?document=8230)
- [Agenda - Spanish.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477?document=8225)
- [May 21, 2026 Council Agenda Briefing.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477?document=9119)
- [Transit Response Memo.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477?document=9120)
- [Public Hearing A - Budget.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477?document=8234)
- [Presentations A - Manager's Report - CIP Update.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477?document=8228)
- [Consent D - Heavy Truck Repair Contract Amdt.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477?document=8232)
- [Public Hearing B - 2026-27 CDBG Annual Action Plan.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477?document=8233)
- [Consent E - PFI Mtg Amendment.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477?document=8231)
- [Memo - Follow-Up.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477?document=8606)
- [Public Engagement Participation Summary.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477?document=9121)
- [Consent C - Litter & Cleanliness Program .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477?document=8229)
- [Public Hearing B - Presentation - 2026-27 CDBG and HOME Annual Action Plan.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477?document=8235)
- [Compensation Memo.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477?document=9117)
- [Parks Center Hours Memorandum 5.28.2026.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477?document=9116)
- [action_agenda_2026-05-26.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477?document=14236)
- [minutes_2026-05-26.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2477?document=9125)

## Sources

- [City of Asheville WordPress](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/meetings/city-council-meeting-may-26-2026/)
- [Resolutions](https://drive.google.com/file/d/10d644bMrSPFUUB9BqXmzcD9xEeDsyEse/view?usp=drive_link)
- [Public Input](https://publicinput.com/g1267)
- [City Council agenda page](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/city-council-agenda/)