Buncombe County Seeks Voter Approval for New Funding Initiatives
In a move to secure funding for vital community projects, Buncombe County is initiating steps to gain voter approval for significant new borrowing. The county has reached out to the Trust for Public Land (TPL), a nonprofit based in San Francisco, to assist in developing sustainable funding strategies for crucial sectors including parks, trails, land conservation, and affordable housing. This request mirrors a similar appeal made in 2021, which resulted in a detailed report on potential financing strategies.
Following a TPL survey indicating voter support for borrowing funds, Buncombe County placed two bond referenda on the ballot during the 2022 midterm elections. These included a $40 million bond for housing and a $30 million bond for land conservation, both of which received more than 61% voter support. According to the University of North Carolina School of Government, nearly 95% of bond referenda succeeded in North Carolina over the past decade.
County staff have proposed additional borrowing this year, suggesting up to $53 million for affordable housing and $10 million for conservation to align with strategic goals. The proposed debt service would result in a property tax increase of about 1 cent per $100 of assessed value, translating to a $35 annual increase for a home valued at $350,000.
In addition to these bonds, Buncombe County is contemplating $162 million in debt for school infrastructure projects, including facilities for Glen Arden Elementary and renovations for W.D. Williams Elementary. However, the recent correspondence with TPL did not seek assistance for these initiatives.
Board Chair Amanda Edwards expressed support for allowing voters to decide on these bond packages, emphasizing their potential to invest in housing affordability, open space preservation, and educational facilities.
Before proceeding with a bond referendum, Buncombe County must obtain approval from the state’s Local Government Commission, host a public hearing, and issue a referendum notice at least two weeks before the voter registration deadline. This notice is required by September 25 this year.
Controversy Over Reparations and Equity Work
In a recent session with the N.C. House Select Committee on Government Efficiency, Buncombe officials faced scrutiny over their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, particularly concerning the Community Reparations Commission (CRC). Ruth Smith, a former Republican candidate, alleged that Buncombe’s actions infringed on non-Black residents’ civil rights. Edwards clarified that CRC’s recommendations are non-binding and that the county has no immediate plans to act on them.
Although previous budgets allocated over $3 million for reparations, only $88,000 has been utilized, primarily for a racial inequity audit. Despite warnings from the Department of Justice about potential civil rights law violations, the county has rebranded its Equity & Human Rights Department to Access & Human Affairs, a change reportedly unrelated to federal threats.
Additional Updates
- County Assessor Eric Cregger reported that Buncombe’s property values could rise by 50% to 70% compared to 2021 valuations. Property owners will receive updated valuations this week and can appeal their assessments by May 5.
- Plans to consolidate Buncombe’s 20 fire tax districts into a single tax rate are underway, as shared by Strategy and Innovation Director Rafael Baptista. A town hall on this proposal is scheduled for February 26.
- Buncombe County has approved revisions to a funding agreement with local schools, affecting future financial allocations.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners holds meetings every first and third Tuesday at 200 College St., Room 326, in Asheville. The next meeting is on March 3. For more details, watch the full recording and view the agenda of the February 17 meeting.
