ASHEVILLE  — Three members of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners presented — and explained—  key aspects of the recently approved $433.1 million county budget for the next fiscal year to the Asheville-based Council of Business Owners during a breakfast meeting on June 13 in UNC Ashevllle’s Sherfill Center.

The new budget, which will be effective July 1, includes a 3.26-cent jump per $100 of assessed value in the property tax — to 54.66 cents per $100. (The current tax rate is 51.76 cents per $100 of value).

As noted by the commissioners, a homeowner with a property valued at $350,000 will pay — roughly — an additional $100 per year in taxes under the new budget.

About 50 people attended the hour-long program in which half of the time was allocated to the presentation — and the other half to a robust question-and-answer session that followed.

Leading the presentation was commissioners’ Chairwoman Amanda Edwards. She was aided by commissioners Terri Wells and Al Whitesides.

Following a prayer and recitation of the Pledge of Allegience, both led by CIBO member Mac Swicegood, CIBO Past President John Carroll welcomed the three commissioners to open the program. (Carroll served as the meeting’s emcee.)

Edwards, speaking for the trio, thanked Patty Beaver for an invitation for them to review and explain the newly approved county budget. (Beaver is CIBO’s interim executive director.)

Edwards then noted that, “we thought last year’s budget was tough, then  (Tropical Storm) Helene arrived….” and budgeting became even more challenging for the commissioners. 

For instance, she said post-Helene “budget realities,” included $6 million reducton in property tax receipts and a $1.4 million reduction in sales tax receipts.

Edwards cited many other budget challenges, mainly due to the damage wroughtby Tropical Storm Helene on Sept. 27.

Given the challenging budget environment, Edwards noted the many ways the commissioners have responded with the new budget, stressing that it is of paramount importance “to maintain the essential operations budget….”

To that end, she said, “This (new) budget for Buncombe County does not include any new positions, despite 55 new positions requested... If we had followed through (with the additional staffing requests), it would have cost an extra $7.5 million in salaries

With a note of pride, Edwards asserted, “There is a $4.6 million reduction in the county operating budget, which is lower” than the current budget.

Regarding the new budget, she asked, rhetorically, “So what is here?”

In response to her own question, Edwards noted, “It (the new budget) does ensure 911 and EMT staffing… ambulances… municipal elections… funds all library locations….

Further, she noted that “the property tax is (new budget’s) biggest revenue source at 66 percent... Revenues are down… We also anticipate a larger sales tax... The property tax is the only lever we hold to increase revenue. So we are using that (a property tax increase) to balance our budget....”

Amanda Edwards, the commissioners’ chair, also said, “All told, expenditures decreased.”

However, she lamented that “we dipped below our minimal fund balance” to balance the new budget. “We have to maintain our fund balance at a certain level to keep our (Buncombe’s) AAA rating.”

Further, she said, “we want to restore some school funding,” noting that, as of June 13, there is “one more vote to go in the North Carolina House (of Representatives).”

Edwards said the commissioners are “hoping to see that pass next Tuesday (June 17). Once that passes, our schools will be restored to FY25 levels.”

Regarding “recommended capital projects and vehiciles” in the new budget, “We will replace 12 sheriff’s vehicles... We did approve every fire district that requested an increase.”

The question-and-answer period that followed was opened by CIBO member Mac Swicegood, who asked, “What improvements are you making in the tax department... because that’s were you get your money?”

Wells, a commissioner, replied, “We have hired additional staff in the tax department...”

Swicegood then asserted, “We’ve got 12,000 properties damaged (by Helene) in Buncombe County — more than anywhere else in the state. You’re going to need to have more people ‘on the ground,’ or you’re going to have trouble for the next five years.”

An unidentified man thanked the commissioners “for the work you’ve done” on the budget. “You’re clearly paying attention. As I have four businesses. I’ve seen in the media references to the ‘reserve fund’ for the school systems. Those are ‘rainy day’ balances. I don’t think there has been a ‘rainy-er’ day” in Buncombe County history than when Helene devastated the area on Sept. 27. 

Whitesides, a commissioner and retired banker, then assserted, “What’s critical is when you see us go below our 15 percent fund balance. Our credit rating services are looking at that. We’re hoping to get back to that 15 percent by the end or this year. Otherwise, that could really cause a drop in our county credit rating...”

Wells added, “Even as we went along, we had to make cuts in our FY 2025 (current) budget. That was very painful...”

As the discussion veered toward school funding, Edwards noted, “By statute, the county has no mechanism to tell the schools how they spend the money.”

Another unidentified man asked, “A question outside the budget… What say you?” Hearing no objection, the man then asked about the commissioners’ stance on having a sheriff (Quentin Miller) who chooses which laws to enforce. His reference was regading Miller’s opposition to cooperation with working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (aka “ICE”).

To that, Whitesides replied evenly, “It’s been my understanding from talking to the sheriff (that) it’s his responsibility to follow the law.”

Then Whitesides noted that he recently was contacted by a reporter from The New York Times, who asked Whitesides “what we do in Buncombe County” on immigration enforcement and other related issues — and Whitesides said he told the reporter that “we follow the law.”

Next, in a reference to a missing fund balance from the sheriff’s office, CIBO member Mark Delk asked, “What are the commissioners doing about that?” 

Edwards replied, “Our finance team is working with the sheriff’s office” on that concern.

Then, with a diplomatic smile, she told the CIBO questioners, “Y’all have great questions about the sheriff’s office — and I think you (CIBO) need to invite the sheriff to speak with you” so that he can answer any questions about his office’s performance.

The commissioners’ chairwoman added, “Let’s get back to the budget...”

Edwards then fielded a question regarding”the amended bill in the legislature — is that money going to be for funds and construction into perpetuity? Is this just for this year — or for perpetuity?”

In response, she said, “This is a two-year, two-budget cycle” — for legislative bills covering fiscal 2025-26 and fiscal 2026-27).

At that point, Wells noted that she is “so proud of our schools” in Buncombe County.

Agreeing, Whitesides added, “When I look at other schools around the state, I wonder why they aren’t doing it the way we are.”

Changing subjects, Swicegood asked, again, “You’ve got 12,000 properties that have lost value… are you prepared for it?’

Wells replied, “There’s an ‘awareness...’”

An unidentified man asked, “Do we know how many students” are enrolled and if there is an “increase or decrease in (enrollment in the) county schools?”

Whitesides answered, “There is uptick in homeschooling and charter schools” in the county. “They’re predicting within five or 10 years, we will have more kids graduating from high school. Not to mention one of the highest numbers of kids home-schooled.”

He added that “over 3,000 kids are going to charter schools.”

What’s more, Whitesides said, “It’s the make-up of the county... as it changes into (mostly) retirees. Everyone’s like me, their kids are somewhere else. (He then corrected his own asssertion by noting that one of his children still lives in Buncombe). The people who are moving here are not bringing their kids with them” any more.

Further, Whitesides noted, “We’re going to look at how our school system is run, going forward.”

Edwards added that “there was a consolidation study… and the (consulting) firm recommended ways the school system could work together to save money.” 

An unidentified man asked about the county’s involvement in debris removal in the aftermath of Helene.

Edwards answered, “Let’s talk after this, as there is a process. That’s a great wrap-up question.” She added that debris removal by the county is “supposed to wrap up by the end of this month (June).”