From Staff Reports 

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners on June 2 adopted its proposed 2026-27 budget of $484.4  million — billed as a “structurally balanced budget” — that includes a 3.98-cent property tax rate increase.

“The budget supports continued recovery from Tropical Storm Helene, inflationary cost increases, and ongoing commitments to education, public safety, human services, and capital projects,” the county stated in a June 2 news release.

Key details on the new budget include the following:

• Property tax rate: Increased to 43.20 cents per $100 of assessed value — about 10 percent higher than revenue-neutral. at 11.96 cents per $100.

• Annual tax impact: For a $500,000 home, the county tax bill will increase to $2,161 annually.

• Unified fire tax: The county’s 20 fire tax districts were consolidated into a single fire district with a unified tax of 11.96 cents per $100 of  assessed value, bringing an additional $14 million into fire services.

• Education: Funding includes an established tax rate of \(8.64\) cents per \(\$100\) for Asheville City Schools, alongside allocations for early childhood education.

• Community investments: The budget features more than $11.7 million in investments for behavioral health, affordable housing, conservation, and youth programs.

In other action, the commissioners also approved key investments in flood recovery and emergency operations infrastructure, and recognized community leaders.

Commissioners issued proclamations recognizing June 11 as Dr. Suzanne Landis Day, honoring the founder of Project Access, and declaring June as Gun Violence Prevention & Awareness Month and June 1-7 as N.C. SAFE Week of Action.

The commissioners also received the 2025 Child Fatality Review Team Annual Report presented by Buncombe County Public Health Director Dr. Ellis Matheson. The report outlines preventable causes of child deaths and offers recommendations to strengthen behavioral health access, interagency coordination, and community safety strategies.

In new business, the  board voted to introduce Bond Orders and to adopt a resolution for a public hearing at its June 16 meeting for General Obligation (GO) bonds that include $30 million for open space conservation, park and greenway development, and the protection of natural resources, as well as $40 million to support housing for individuals with low or moderate incomes, including related infrastructure and land acquisition. 

In preparation for closing out expenditures related to Buncombe County’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds and Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, the commissioners approved the use of remaining dollars to support two key county programs — Community Paramedics and Helene Response operations. 

This includes $32,000 for new radios for the Community Paramedic Collaborative, as well as $3,784,708 in funding for Helene Response costs not covered by insurance, FEMA Public Assistance, or other disaster-recovery programs. 

Examples of costs not covered by other funding sources include Community Navigation, the Helene Resource Center, and floodplain management resources. 

In a major move to support enhanced emergency response coordination, the Board approved the authorization to acquire real property at 7 S. Tunnel Road, the former location of JC Penny’s at the Asheville Mall. This authorization permits the County Manager to negotiate and execute all necessary documents to complete the purchase. Located in a key commercial corridor, the property combines multiple public safety and County operational needs into a single facility and is responsive to needs outlined in the 2021 Comprehensive Facility Study, the Helene Recovery Plan, and the Preparedness Action Plan. No public-facing operations are planned for the location. The full presentation can be accessed here. 

“I really appreciate the continued focus on public safety,” Commissioner Drew Ball said. “Helene taught us a lot, and the need for a new EOC is a clear lesson learned.” 

The board approved a budget amendment to reallocate remaining budget funds from two capital projects to support the land acquisition for the new EOC/multipurpose facility. These combined funds cover the property acquisition costs for the future facility site, and this amendment brings the total project budget to $5,257,600. 

To fund the $1,045,600 project increase, the county is reallocating:

• $500,000 from the FY24 35 Woodfin Renovation for Forward Facing Facility project

• $300,000 from the FY25 35 Woodfin 911 Backup Center Renovation project

• $245,600 in debt proceeds

The commissioners also accepted Emergency Watershed Protection funding through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in the amount of $36,991,382. 

This federal grant will support stabilization of storm-impacted waterways, erosion control, infrastructure protection, and other recovery efforts related to Tropical Storm Helene. 

Both private and public landowners are eligible to apply for assistance for Helene impacted properties that meet criteria.