Buncombe County Board Approves Record-Breaking Budget Amidst Rising Costs
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners has approved a significant financial blueprint, marking an unprecedented budget size. The newly sanctioned $698 million budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 represents a 12% increase from the previous budget, with adjustments to tax rates within the county’s jurisdiction.
Property owners will experience a revised tax rate of 43.2 cents per $100 of assessed value, a 10% rise above the revenue-neutral rate. County Manager Avril Pinder initially proposed a rate of 43.52 cents per $100, but adjustments in tax collection estimates, utilization of savings, and exclusion of some new roles resulted in the current rate. This increase is notably higher than the previous year’s 5.6% hike agreed upon.
Residents in areas outside Asheville will face higher charges for fire services, as the tax rate for the county’s new unified fire district is set at 11.96 cents per $100, 30% above the revenue-neutral rate. Although this is above Pinder’s recommendation of 11.73 cents, it is less than the 14.37 cents sought by local fire chiefs.
Taxpayers in the Asheville City Schools district will see their supplemental tax rate rise to 8.64 cents per $100, exceeding the revenue-neutral rate by over 6%.
“We made hard decisions last year during the budget process due to [Hurricane] Helene to reduce our budget by millions, cutting programs and limiting operations,” stated Commissioner Terri Wells. “I stand by those difficult decisions that we made last year, and it is now time to begin to rebuild our budget.”
Other commissioners echoed Wells’ sentiments, highlighting increased funding for county staff, affordable housing, and partnerships with local nonprofits. They also pointed to external factors as significant contributors to the county’s rising expenses.
Commissioner Parker Sloan criticized state and national government policies, particularly the underfunding of K-12 education and the financial shifts resulting from last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. “Those choices that we make, those choices of neglect and delay and sabotage, at some times, come with a cost. A cost that today is in part beared by the property tax payers of Buncombe County,” Sloan emphasized.
The budget is set to take effect on Wednesday, July 1.
Financial Initiatives and Allocations
- The county accepted a $37 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for streambank restoration projects damaged by Hurricane Helene, covering 207 projects with additional funding sought for engineering and permitting. Jennifer Harrison, the county’s agriculture and land resources director, noted the potential costs could reach “hundreds of millions of dollars.”
- The board approved the $5 million acquisition of a former JCPenny site to house the county’s first standalone emergency center, with no plans for it to serve as a shelter. The project includes a $1 million budget increase for site acquisition and an estimated $30 million for construction.
- Unspent pandemic-era federal recovery funds were reallocated, mainly for Helene-related expenses. Funds initially intended for an affordable housing project in Asheville were redirected due to delays caused by the storm.
Additional Updates
- A public hearing is set for June 16 on $70 million worth of proposed bonds, seeking voter approval for projects including $40 million for affordable housing and $30 million for land conservation. These will be part of the midterm elections on November 3.
- Sheriff Quentin Miller raised concerns about overcrowding at the Buncombe County Detention Facility, with average populations exceeding its design capacity.
- The board declared June as “Gun Violence Prevention and Awareness Month,” citing an increase in gun deaths in recent years. This follows a statement from Asheville officials and a local law enforcement meeting convened by U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners convenes on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 200 College St., Room 326, downtown Asheville, at 5 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16.
To view the full recording and access meeting documents from June 2, follow the provided links.
