Easly City council previews FY27 budget, proposes COLA and new permit fees

EASLY CITY — City staff on Thursday walked Easly City Council through the FY27 general-fund draft, recommending modest pay increases, new operational positions and several fee changes intended to cover staff time and program costs.

At the start of the work session the chair said staff recommended a cost-of-living adjustment of about 3% for salaries above $50,000 and 4% for those below, noting a separate emphasis on larger raises for lower-paid employees. Staff also proposed four new positions: an IT hire, a business-license field technician to inspect and cite noncompliant businesses, CDL drivers for public works and two parks-and-recreation maintenance technicians. “We recommend a 3% cost of living for positions above 50,000 and 4% below,” staff said when describing the personnel highlights.

The planning and development team outlined a suite of permit and fee changes. Proposed adjustments include a $75 fee for a new single-family residence permit and a $500 fee for new commercial construction, an increase in rezoning fees from $200 to $350, a variance fee increase (proposed to…