Wilmington Council member backs budget, highlights infrastructure investments and living wage increase
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — One of the Wilmington City Council members who voted in favor of the city’s newly approved fiscal year budget is defending the spending plan, saying it balances taxpayer costs with investments in city services, employee pay, and infrastructure improvements.
The Wilmington City Council approved the nearly $350 million budget on Tuesday following weeks of discussion. Council members Cassidy Santaguida, David Joyner, and J.C. Lyle joined Mayor Bill Saffo in voting for the measure.
The budget includes a 4.9-cent increase in the property tax rate per $100 of assessed value. City officials estimate the owner of a home valued at Wilmington’s median assessed value of $445,000 will pay about $18 more per month in property taxes.
In an interview on Wednesday, Santaguida said the budget will help improve services for residents while ensuring critical projects move forward.
“The initial number that we were looking at was a 6.25-cent increase, and we were able to cut it down to 4.9,” Santaguida said. “We really did trim out what we could and I think this is what we need for the city. I know the economy is tough right now, I know wallets are tight, but for that additional $18 a month, what we get in return is more than worth that.”
The budget also includes wage increases for city employees across multiple departments, including police, fire, public works and human resources, as part of the city’s efforts to maintain a competitive living wage.
Santaguida said residents will see benefits from the budget through both improved city services and continued investment in infrastructure.
Among the capital improvement projects funded in the spending plan are the replacement of the Pine Grove Drive bridge, repairs to riverfront bulkheads and other infrastructure initiatives aimed at maintaining and improving city facilities.
Not all council members supported the budget.
Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Spears and council members Salette Andrews and Chakema Clinton-Quintana voted against the measure during Tuesday’s meeting.
The budget takes effect with the start of the city’s new fiscal year on July 1.
