Buncombe County adopts FY2026 budget with 2.9¢ tax increase after lengthy debate

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners voted 5–2 on June 3 to adopt a $433,096,618 fiscal year 2026 spending plan that raises the county property tax by 2.9¢ to cover an estimated $15.2 million in additional property‑tax revenue needed to balance the budget.

The vote followed months of work by county staff and three spring work sessions after the county’s finances were hit by revenue losses tied to Hurricane Helene. John Hudson, the county’s budget director, told the board that “between the loss of revenue and the inability to use fund balance, this creates a deficit of around $25,000,000 less than our fiscal year 25 amended budget.” The approved plan reduces department operating budgets, defers capital projects and delays a $1.9 million contribution to an other‑post‑employment benefit trust to limit the tax increase from a previously proposed 3.26¢ to 2.9¢.

Why it matters: Commissioners said they sought to protect essential services while responding to a sudden decline in revenues. Education remains the single largest general‑fund expenditure at about 28 percent of the budget, but the county reduced local current expense to K‑12 by $4.1 million and moved other adjustments to preserve core services including 9‑1‑1, emergency medical response and mandated human services.

Key facts and figures: the FY2026 general fund…