City council members in Greensboro and Winston-Salem approved budgets this week for the upcoming fiscal year.
Greensboro’s property tax rate remains the same but Winston-Salem’s will increase by almost 4% under the approved plans.
Water and sewer rates will increase by single digits in both cities. Both cities also raised their minimum wages, Winston-Salem to $18 and Greensboro to $18.75 as cities try to boost hiring and retention in a tight labor market. Winston-Salem officials say attracting and maintaining qualified employees is the city’s top organizational challenge. The new budget allocates pay adjustments of $20 million.
Greensboro city employees will receive a four percent salary increase.
Greensboro’s budget is set at just over $800 million, while Winston-Salem’s is about $659 million. The fiscal year begins July 1.