Connected and Engaged Community Archives

Connected and Engaged Community

A Council Vision Focus Area

We pride ourselves on building and growing partnerships – with regional and state governments, nonprofits, the private sector, and neighborhood associations to name a few – to achieve our vision. If you live, work, or play here, you want to be involved and you have a voice. When you join a citizen board or commission, the City provides training and support. Diverse interest groups work together to tackle problems, and neighborhood engagement enables residents to express thoughts, visions, and concrete plans that build a collective and harmonious community. City leaders, officials, and staff members are trusted. City government is transparent, and we use the latest technologies and methods to communicate with, engage, and empower community participants. When you live in Asheville, you belong and are valued.

Note: Asheville operates on a fiscal year (FY) basis that runs from July 1 through June 30, with the fiscal year designated by the year in which it ends. For example, FY24 begins on July 1, 2023 and ends on June 30, 2024.

Work Supporting Connected and Engaged Community

FY24

(July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024)

Inclusive and Accessible Government (In Progress)(Began in FY23, due to complete in FY26) Outfit 5 community spaces with hybrid meeting capability for more accessible and inclusive participation in City government decision-making and create a Community Engagement Academy for leadership development and capacity-building in historically disenfranchised communities.
Duke Energy Downtown Substation Community Engagement In Progress(Began in FY23, due to complete in FY26) Keep the community informed about Duke Energy's project progress and opportunities for public input.
Realignment of Boards & Commissions In Progress(Began in FY23, due to complete in FY24) Work with stakeholders to recommend structural and operational improvements to the Boards and Commissions program to provide the community with a broader array of accessible ways to participate in policy discussions, and to give Council and board and commission members a clear path for connecting community ideas and input to Council policy decisions.
City Board Member Compensation and Accommodations (Complete)(Began in FY24, Completed in FY24) Review advisory board member accommodations and compensation at the City of Asheville and across a variety of NC and US local governments to develop recommendations for consideration by City Council.

FY23

(July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023)

Inclusive and Accessible Government (In Progress)(Began in FY23, due to complete in FY26) Outfit 5 community spaces with hybrid meeting capability for more accessible and inclusive participation in City government decision-making and create a Community Engagement Academy for leadership development and capacity-building in historically disenfranchised communities.
Silo Buster (Neighborhood Issue Tracker) (Complete)(Began in FY23, Completed in FY23) Created an internal information repository for neighborhood issues and interactions to ensure that City employees are informed about issues that matter to specific communities when planning projects and establishing priorities. Impact: Higher quality service and improved accountability provided to Asheville residents.
Duke Energy Downtown Substation Community Engagement In Progress(Began in FY23, due to complete in FY26) Keep the community informed about Duke Energy's project progress and opportunities for public input.
Realignment of Boards & Commissions In Progress(Began in FY23, due to complete in FY24) Work with stakeholders to recommend structural and operational improvements to the Boards and Commissions program to provide the community with a broader array of accessible ways to participate in policy discussions, and to give Council and board and commission members a clear path for connecting community ideas and input to Council policy decisions.

Government