[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6569256,"mediaKeyId","3191478-8652f78e8faa2ae0e11d4d13dcae33f4","parentId",3191478,"title","Asheville City Schools asks Buncombe County for $2.41M and restoration of supplemental levy; cites Helene impacts and enrollment shifts","audioSeconds",2126,"startMs",9114000,"endMs",11240000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3191478-8652f78e8faa2ae0e11d4d13dcae33f4&start=9114&end=11240","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3191478-8652f78e8faa2ae0e11d4d13dcae33f4/thumbnail_9114000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6569256/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/Asheville-City-Schools-asks-Buncombe-County-for-241M-and-restoration-of-supplemental-levy-cites-Helene-impacts-and-enrollment-shifts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569256-c5a60b7fe393076f2f9260e4ede5067b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448037&Signature=kiMBV5RVT-BQUKGpwrTPKiJXnjPyUBNzMYrCqmUYAHOH0MNx8Pt-5NmkB8~blfBa8TLr8esXMvayy01Avv6yjQ8rlXJ~6nhbX4-9BPwMjr1OSUGAEh7QJiG5jyxYRcjVCt70oqo1Wlhs99KfQrO3Bux~QMyEd9ZBAhw6qEz52jNZS7HTMXvKg0jNxd2q0IkXyyKPOOrNmIIMFEwCaYiztg99ChTVUmjJ0a6n2cZ3mdTpPhdL38h9HfvGJWx3KNAMkPDE9W~GVh4H5fSbVyQTYQ2kFbeKenPxphjw8WUTyKfVsDR3pCC4HOmc4Lut83fhX0DlQoITOMAKwnmMSyedNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Buncombe County, NC","date","2025-05-05T13:42:27.13Z","article","Asheville City Schools Superintendent (Dr. Furman) and district staff presented the district’s FY26 funding request to Buncombe County commissioners, asking the board to restore a local supplemental levy and provide a $2,410,000 increase in county appropriations.

Request and components

- Supplemental levy: The Asheville City Schools board requested restoring the supplemental local levy to 0.12 (the presentation estimated that restoring the levy would raise about $1.5 million).

- Local appropriation: The district requested an additional $2,410,000 in local appropriation and said it plans to draw about $3,000,000 from fund balance in the coming year to balance the budget under a no-cuts scenario. The school system estimated total budget pressure at roughly $6.91 million from increased costs and revenue shortfalls.

Why it matters: Asheville City Schools said Hurricane Helene produced measurable mid-year learning impacts — most notably among younger grades and in math and reading benchmark checks — and that additional staff and resources are needed to sustain the district’s recovery and continuing student supports.

Academic and enrollment context

The district reported growth in overall student achievement for recent years but said the mid-year universal-screening data after Helene showed declines in K–5 reading and math proficiency rates and particular weaknesses in math 1 and eighth-grade math. The presentation called attention to the need for continued small-group and targeted interventions.

Facilities and enrollment planning

Superintendent Furman said the district will commission a long-range facility-usage study (RFP issued and three firms shortlisted) to analyze enrollment, capacity and potential shared services with Buncombe County Schools. Furman noted a statewide trend of declining enrollment driven largely by lower birth rates and reiterated that facility decisions will be informed by capacity/utilization analysis.

Quotes

\"We are continuously outperforming the state in improvement,\" Furman said, while acknowledging the district must accelerate progress for historically underserved groups.

\"Bridal to Learning\" and recovery programs: Asheville City Schools also described a student-led \"Bridal to Learning\" (bridge-to-learning) program that served more than 200 students daily after the storm, pairing high-school mentors with younger students for hands-on activities and social-emotional supports.

Ending

The district asked commissioners to consider the combined package — supplemental levy restoration plus a $2.41 million appropriation and planned fund-balance use — as part of the manager’s recommended FY26 budget. Commissioners asked for additional budget detail and comparisons and requested further data on facility plans and enrollment projections.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Buncombe County Board of Commissioners - Budget Work Session - May 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Asheville City Schools presented a FY26 request that includes restoring the supplemental local levy (0.12) and a $2,410,000 local appropriation increase; officials outlined mid-year learning impacts from Hurricane Helene and facility-usage studies to address enrollment declines.","taxTitle","Buncombe County, North Carolina","taxId",3914,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6569261,"AB Tech requests $8.4M from Buncombe County; college outlines facility master plan and recovery work after Helene",1199,4109000,5308000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3191478-8652f78e8faa2ae0e11d4d13dcae33f4&start=4109&end=5308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3191478-8652f78e8faa2ae0e11d4d13dcae33f4/thumbnail_4109000.jpg","/articles/6569261/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/AB-Tech-requests-84M-from-Buncombe-County-college-outlines-facility-master-plan-and-recovery-work-after-Helene","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569261-ebe9bd57e8acdc12ece2337e1ec32504/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448037&Signature=Nh4rwa1WL6NIK5p6fm~p0muhmPRoKISPPLcmyzJ0ils5kpWWnLlS88EoWy-QV-QMEeQIm4RbyQAw86F7w9jftkfHI8GjVWnUn5abzJDnwWdtStaGIM4mIShUxThCFv60EKTJH8zgJtzoBbxuMP1jP~PASi9xjXU3R5ItQepdmY1EQCHyCcq8rS11-UQnPawaTVRlPTXN1jDAELxzztfqgc7aO1I4CITsmbhYrBlWQYp60rhuWxYdLuesoLt1QCohOBLzTEm2srvgh7KkXKqSSyakKeq0EEC2nVazitGhfVza2s7Mh8VXrtsbYw6pG2zZ-p8SD67csCXdv4xxrcOhfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","AB Tech President Dr. Gossett and college finance leaders told commissioners the college’s FY26 local funding request is $8,396,000. The college said leadership reworked its request after county staff asked for a 3.49% reduction and that the revised request balances operating needs with reduced reserves.

Disaster response and current needs

Dr. Gossett said AB Tech provided shelters, parking for ambulances and space for FEMA, the River Arts District farmers market and other community operations following Hurricane Helene. He reported the college lost about 25% of its student body immediately after the disaster but that spring-term enrollment was recovering.

Budget detail and reserves

The college said it reduced 6 full-time equivalent positions from the requested budget (three law-enforcement and three operations positions in previous drafts) and trimmed operating and phone-line costs. Dr. Gossett said AB Tech’s reserve had been drawn down to preserve employee positions, which he described as a core institutional priority; most reserves are used for repair and renovation of aging facilities.

Facilities master plan and capital

AB Tech presented a facilities master plan the college describes as a 10-year, $340 million vision prioritizing safety, pedestrian circulation and program alignment across campuses (including Woodfin and INCA). Dr. Gossett said the plan is a long-range, prioritized list and that the college will pursue safety-focused projects first. Staff said Article 46 funds (statutory community-college funding) have financed roofs, stormwater projects, property acquisitions for contiguous campus expansion and other capital work; joint advisory committee funding decisions may be required for future repairs.

Quotes

\"We were proud to offer shelters, and parking lots for our ambulances. Woodfin Campus became a FEMA town, if you will,\" Dr. Gossett said, describing campus support after the storm.

\"What we present to you is what we need,\" Dr. Gossett said, noting a commitment not to present a \"bloated\" budget and to seek targeted reductions after the county request for trimming.

Ending

AB Tech asked the county to consider the $8.396 million request as part of the manager’s recommended FY26 budget. The college offered to return with more detail on Article 46 and the facilities master plan; Dr. Gossett invited commissioners to a board meeting where the college’s final master-plan draft will be presented.","Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (AB Tech) presented a reduced FY26 request of $8,396,000, described disaster-related campus uses during Hurricane Helene response and previewed a $340 million ten-year facilities master plan focused on safety and program needs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6569266,"School capital commission recommends nearly $11M in cash-funded projects; county staff questions Public School Forum ranking methodology",641,3087000,3728000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3191478-8652f78e8faa2ae0e11d4d13dcae33f4&start=3087&end=3728","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3191478-8652f78e8faa2ae0e11d4d13dcae33f4/thumbnail_3087000.jpg","/articles/6569266/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/School-capital-commission-recommends-nearly-11M-in-cash-funded-projects-county-staff-questions-Public-School-Forum-ranking-methodology","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569266-e417c5314d07872e05ef40bd1b1c0cee/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448037&Signature=TEAHMwsb8Xb4SlT6nN~IaFiy10S1Om3QPxNkDKEllIte-xWgo~PkOya6M5uIeGU1wMJFvniw8usFlAhvx9WwipaJyYx7xZIyQNvy2~znN7oFXSLUO2-9xiH81a6NMwzE6nqGfk7V3J2LY9MSLuoanb~6VnRp2LeUTKybXsjI8Dqvu7kRd6U85VtA~WcSKd86dwMnPtWdBh~nIkWrwWpG3sh6KL~SDVpKSD2McXEKbuPNCN9L3UTYQ3zFXjJ9D5gCYH5e1JxSuidLhZ4h30~kuR1Ca60tA7ueV4oP0wqsAVbdEPZr2xDHcD9C9ZXZuc0-8rXqbN1p0dLUiuKYDvUGcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Buncombe County School Capital Fund Commission voted to recommend projects totaling just under $11 million for FY26 and — consistent with the commission’s recent direction — staff said they intend to fund those projects with cash rather than debt.

Matt Evans of county finance explained the commission’s role and the Article 39 dedicated half-cent sales tax that finances school capital projects. He said the commission recommended two projects for Asheville City Schools and 15 projects for Buncombe County Schools; the handout in commissioners’ packets lists 91 existing projects across the county ledger (74 associated with Buncombe County Schools and 17 with Asheville City Schools).

Why it matters: County finance staff told commissioners the goal is to reduce reliance on debt so more commission dollars go directly to construction and repair rather than interest. Evans said many projects are at different stages of completion and staff will bring project ordinances to close completed projects off the books.

Peer comparisons and the Public School Forum study

Budget analyst Sam Riddle presented a peer-comparison analysis using data from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) budget and tax survey and reviewed the Public School Forum of North Carolina’s local school finance study methodology.

Riddle said Buncombe ranks relatively high in per-pupil funding in several comparisons, but he also called attention to methodological assumptions in the Public School Forum study: the Forum uses an \"adjusted tax base\" (tax base divided by the sales assessment ratio) to equalize counties, and applies a statewide average effective tax rate when calculating an expected revenue figure. For Buncombe — which had a recently updated tax base — those adjustments, Riddle said, effectively overstate available levy and lead to a higher expected revenue estimate than what county books recorded in 2023.

He summarized the effect in the Forum’s calculation: using the study’s adjusted figures, Buncombe’s implied property-tax revenue for 2023 would be about $318.4 million, while the county’s actual budgeted property-tax revenue for 2023 was about $240 million — a difference Riddle attributed to the Forum’s assumptions rather than to local practice.

School Capital specifics and next steps

- Funding source: Article 39 half-cent sales tax yields roughly $27–$28 million annually in sales-tax revenue; the School Capital Fund is accounted for in a separate fund with its own fund balance.

- Commission recommendation: Two projects for Asheville City Schools, 15 projects for Buncombe County Schools totaling just under $11 million; staff intend to fund the recommended FY26 projects with cash (not new debt).

- Process: Staff will bring project closure ordinances for completed projects and present the commission’s FY26 recommendations in the county’s recommended budget documents.

Quotes

\"The School Capital Fund Commission is an advisory body made up of 5 members who make recommendations to you all relating to school capital projects,\" Matt Evans said, describing the commission’s remit and statutory background.

\"The most recent study utilizes fiscal year 2023 data...the study's calculation assumes Buncombe County's tax base to be [higher than recorded],\" Sam Riddle said, summarizing how the Public School Forum’s adjustments change its conclusions for Buncombe.

Ending

Commissioners asked staff to bring a project ordinance to close completed School Capital Fund projects and to include the commission recommendations in the manager’s recommended FY26 budget materials.","The Buncombe County School Capital Fund Commission recommended just under $11 million in cash-funded projects for FY26. County analysts also presented peer-comparison findings and critiqued the Public School Forum of North Carolina’s methodology for ranking local school funding.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6569268,"Six Buncombe County fire districts ask commissioners for tax-rate hikes to preserve staffing and equipment",2589,581000,3170000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3191478-8652f78e8faa2ae0e11d4d13dcae33f4&start=581&end=3170","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3191478-8652f78e8faa2ae0e11d4d13dcae33f4/thumbnail_581000.jpg","/articles/6569268/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/Six-Buncombe-County-fire-districts-ask-commissioners-for-tax-rate-hikes-to-preserve-staffing-and-equipment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569268-ee5ca13fb2a31c603b8e64c7b81a1c32/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448037&Signature=c-ExMKxvJ--3vJxK1UHCM-TrpiaQhhXArp0AZDNi2PVkmmdL-t6CiYwoTkUllMH2-ta29aduhYsmBfL6h-fjZAVIv00oIseRYPDzsSq3hyU18dtFPk298XU3hre59obSM80fAv4ejUAfGycWkbqYkCdsZE3E4ymQ2jJqjg8UZqD9kabi69knu9mFUbBjAUHFuntTVGEMd9IY8xlmZQAAcw7gtJ5Sg4LPR9Uue8rmBmmseVbqQgZwqWqTmKOzZUbVwOuYzZUndyCJsaNRqd10V~CmsSMsgWHDFWyp7RnE4kc9MTMBB~8dm5cWPWx~nV5H1xCiaCxwC8OTj1EcPC~BpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Six volunteer and mostly local fire districts appeared before Buncombe County commissioners during a budget work session to request increases in their ad valorem tax rates, describing personnel shortfalls, rising operating costs and aging apparatus.

Requests and reasons

- Anka Candler district: Chief Bedingfield said the district requested an increase from 12¢ to 13.5¢ per $100 of assessed value (a 1.5¢ increase) to generate an estimated $488,110. He described a staffing roster of 47 full-time positions (45 operational shift employees and two administrators) plus seven volunteers and said the district intends to add three operational personnel and one office assistant in FY25–26 to complete a three-year plan and place an additional engine into service. Bedingfield cited growing call volume (3,782 calls in 2024; a three-year average near 3,600), increased family health-insurance premiums and equipment replacement needs including SCBA components and turnout gear. He said a new fire engine costs about $1 million and takes roughly 3–4 years for delivery.

- French Broad: Chief Shelton reduced his district’s request from 1¢ to 0.5¢ following discussions with county finance staff; the smaller increase was projected to raise about $21,247 and would fund station remodeling without affecting current staffing levels.

- Swannanoa: Leadership requested a 1¢ increase estimated to generate $132,715. Chief Penland (Swannanoa) said the district’s ad valorem base dropped about 3.7% after the storm, sales tax distributions fell, and the department expects to use about $200,000 of its fund balance this year. Penland noted long-term capital needs including a 23-year-old engine and a ladder truck approaching a 20-year service life; replacement estimates in the CIP are about $3.2 million for two major apparatus.

- Upper Hominy: Chief Shane Prestwood requested a 1.6¢ increase (projected to generate $95,917). He said the district’s tax base has not grown and that, without the increase, staff levels would need to be reduced (a part-time 24-hour post would be cut to 12 hours). He noted a $1.1 million apparatus ordered in FY24 with anticipated delivery in FY28.

- West Buncombe: Chief Fagnett requested a 1.5¢ increase (about $304,843). He said the district has operated at a deficit for several years and has eliminated part-time positions after the post-storm budget pressures; the requested increase would primarily cover personnel and operating costs.

- Reynolds (Chief Carter and board member Jay Lee): Requested a 1.87¢ increase to generate about $190,221, which the presenters said would maintain personnel and cover building renovations (kitchen, sleeping areas) and projected truck delivery timelines.

Discussion and context

Chiefs repeatedly cited recruitment and retention difficulties, rising insurance premiums and retrospective use of fund balances to maintain service levels after storm-related revenue losses. Several chiefs highlighted shared regional needs — wildland and structural response, mutual-aid obligations, and aging fleets — and said replacement timelines for engines and rescue vehicles are multi-year and increasingly costly.

No formal votes occurred on the requests during the work session; county staff said the fire-district tax rates are addressed through the county’s annual budget and will be reflected separately in the recommended budget ordinance if commissioners choose to include them.

Quotes

\"Our call volume in 2024 was 3,782. ... we're continually seeing additional needs in our district,\" Chief Bedingfield said, describing growth and the need for additional personnel and benefits.

\"This reduction doesn't impact staffing and salaries,\" Chief Shelton said after reducing French Broad’s requested increase.

Ending

County finance staff said requested tax-rate changes for fire districts will be included, if approved later, with the annual budget ordinance. Commissioners posed questions about anticipated fund-balance use, capital timelines and the county-sponsored firefighter compensation study scheduled to be completed this summer.","Six fire districts presented separate requests for tax-rate increases to Buncombe County commissioners, citing staffing shortages, rising operating costs and aging apparatus. Chiefs described recruitment/retention measures, equipment replacement timelines and fund-balance draws.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6569274,"Buncombe County manager presents FY26 budget with $16.8M gap; proposes 3.21¢ county tax increase",12649,353000,13002000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3191478-8652f78e8faa2ae0e11d4d13dcae33f4&start=353&end=13002","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3191478-8652f78e8faa2ae0e11d4d13dcae33f4/thumbnail_353000.jpg","/articles/6569274/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/Buncombe-County-manager-presents-FY26-budget-with-168M-gap-proposes-321-county-tax-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569274-cec9daac9d55286594e386d828fa65cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448037&Signature=TZn9UVGD4nJkYjntQo7VqCldg00VUK1wpW6A0-qdRaEdU3VceD0w1WeD8qeY7R5~PTj2Vb0THFm3D2tcZB0yHppOU-jtL3V2TjXEimfbhF9ZJmRPcsxvCKVf-6P3exxg4foHg07cPp~VN6CRzYFRwuCOn3bvwfJNs~UIrENljxFdEOz8oVhOmT2F4HyDIZUk~Cdm68ARvH-WcW1QTvtuSDqpFu8dOr1ZNjyF~7JShXjpGwF5VBq2rUu8bUMTyUbivsdYbZnwtdR3q-DJ88aLyDorL6EK40QpZMbpSzDkpsm6D4YJlGWfePuFoLBqOj5cnpcH-fNRYrsjEnLjMiAbIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder and Budget Director John Hudson told commissioners at a May budget work session that the county’s second-pass fiscal year 2026 budget still shows a gap of about $16.8 million and would require a county property tax increase of roughly 3.21¢ per $100 of assessed value to close the gap if no further cuts are made.

Hudson said the draft expenditure budget would be $434.7 million, a 2.1% reduction from the FY25 amended budget, after staff identified about $2.4 million in additional revenues and approved $4.6 million in cuts and pauses to discretionary community investments. Those pauses include affordable housing services, strategic partnership grants, community recreation grants and a reduction in conservation easement funding, among other items.

The manager and finance staff described additional cost pressures that remain: new debt service tied to recent vehicle purchases, rising utilities and insurance, and projected salary and fringe increases for employees. With the current assumptions, Hudson said a 3.21¢ increase would raise the county’s current tax rate from about 5.176¢ to roughly 5.497¢ and would add about $112 in annual property tax on a residence assessed at $350,000.

Why it matters: county staff framed this as a second-pass budget meant to preserve core services while balancing fiscal and recovery responsibilities. Commissioners were asked to give guidance before the manager presents a recommended budget at the first Tuesday meeting in May, with a formal public hearing and adoption scheduled for later in the budget cycle.

Key details and context

- Gap and reductions: Hudson said the county narrowed the budget gap from $22.5 million to $16.8 million after revenue adjustments and identified program pauses totaling $4.6 million. The remaining gap drives the 3.21¢ estimate.

- Discretionary investment choices: The recommended pauses include the county’s reparations contribution, parts of the strategic partnership grants program, and other discretionary community investments. Health & Human Services recommended reducing supplemental HCCBG funding by $125,000 because it cannot use the full allocation this year.

- Schools and other asks: County staff noted separately presented requests from Buncombe County Schools, Asheville City Schools and AB Tech. Hudson said funding all of the school requests presented that day would add roughly another 2.5¢ to the county tax rate (bringing the total county-level increase to roughly 5.7¢ if commissioners elected to fully fund those requests).

- Disaster cash flow and recovery: Staff confirmed they are pursuing state and federal disaster loan and reimbursement programs to lessen one-time cash pressures from Hurricane Helene, but cautioned those funds are uncertain and would not replace recurring operational revenue needs.

- Timeline: Manager Pinder will present a recommended budget to the board at the next scheduled meeting; commissioners will have 2 weeks before the public hearing and 2 weeks thereafter to adopt the budget.

Quotes

\"This brings us back to the fiscal year 26 budget. Since our last meeting we have reviewed revenues and expenditures,\" Budget Director John Hudson said in opening the county budget summary.

\"Based on slide 30, there have been no additional movements to make any reductions to the discretionary community investments,\" County Manager Avril Pinder said, asking commissioners for guidance on whether and how to incorporate the school requests into the recommended budget.

Ending

Commissioners asked staff for follow-up figures and for side-by-side comparisons of fund-balance calculations and school requests before finalizing guidance. Manager Pinder will present the recommended budget at the next regular meeting, and commissioners will take a public hearing and adopt the budget in subsequent meetings.","County Manager Avril Pinder and Budget Director John Hudson presented a second-pass FY26 budget showing a $16.8 million shortfall after reductions; staff recommended $4.6 million in program pauses and a proposed 3.21¢ county property tax increase, with roughly 2.5¢ more needed to fully fund school requests presented today.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Asheville City Schools asks Buncombe County for $2.41M and restoration of supplemental levy; cites Helene impacts and enrollment shifts

AB Tech requests $8.4M from Buncombe County; college outlines facility master plan and recovery work after Helene

School capital commission recommends nearly $11M in cash-funded projects; county staff questions Public School Forum ranking methodology

Six Buncombe County fire districts ask commissioners for tax-rate hikes to preserve staffing and equipment

Buncombe County manager presents FY26 budget with $16.8M gap; proposes 3.21¢ county tax increase