Regular Meeting of The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners | May 5, 2026

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on May 5, 2026, where significant attention was given to the county's fiscal year 2027 recommended budget. The county manager presented a budget proposal featuring a 12% increase in expenditures from the previous year, including 32 new positions and a recommended property tax rate increase to 43.52 cents per $100 of assessed value, which is 4.3 cents above the revenue-neutral rate. The meeting included detailed discussions on the impacts of the recent property reappraisal, state legislative proposals affecting property tax calculations, and the need to balance fiscal sustainability with community affordability concerns. Additionally, the board approved budget amendments related to debt service for the Woodfin project and reappropriations for conservation easement projects. The commissioners also discussed a resolution urging the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to engage with stakeholders regarding concerns about Mission Health's certificate of need and quality issues. Public comments focused heavily on concerns about rising property taxes, government spending, and the economic impact on residents and businesses. The meeting concluded with announcements about upcoming public hearings on the FY27 budget and a Commercial District Revitalization Grant Program.