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