Regular Meeting of The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners | May 19, 2026

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on May 19, 2026, which included significant discussions on budgetary matters and disaster recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helen. Key procurement-related topics included a public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBGDR) commercial district revitalization program, with $111 million allocated statewide and $40 million available in the first round for projects such as infrastructure improvements, remediation of storm-damaged properties, and pedestrian access enhancements. The board also reviewed the recommended fiscal year 2027 budget totaling approximately $485.6 million, proposing a property tax rate increase of 4.3 cents above the revenue-neutral rate to fund education, public safety, human services, capital projects, and vehicle acquisitions. The budget includes 32 new positions and $38.3 million in debt-funded capital projects. Public comments reflected diverse views on the tax increase and budget priorities. Additionally, the board entered a closed session to discuss a contract related to property acquisition. The meeting featured updates on legislative advocacy for disaster recovery funding and housing, as well as reports from the U.S. Forest Service on storm recovery efforts in county forests.