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Buncombe County budget plan would raise rate above revenue-neutral; residents and groups urge changes at public hearing
Summary
County staff presented the recommended FY27 budget on May 19, proposing a 43.52¢ tax rate (4.3¢ above revenue neutral) to fund education, public safety and human services; public commenters voiced conflicting views on the tax increase, firefighter safety needs, and school arts cuts.
Buncombe County budget officials presented the recommended fiscal year 2027 budget at a public hearing on May 19, proposing a general fund budget of $485,055,095 and a property tax rate of 43.52¢ per $100 of assessed value, 4.3¢ above the revenue-neutral rate. Budget Director John Hudson said the recommended budget would generate an estimated additional $192 a year for the median-value home and is balanced with a $1.9 million appropriation of fund balance.
The budget allocates the largest shares to education (about 28% of expenditures), public safety (22%) and human services (21%). Officials also proposed $38.3 million in debt-funded capital projects and six PAYGO projects totaling $1.6 million. Staff reported year-to-date FY26 figures showing general fund revenues of $384.9 million and expenditures of $302.5 million through the third quarter.
Public comment at the hearing highlighted divergent community priorities. Ralph Jones urged more transparent, measurable targets so departments and commissioners can track outcomes. Tom Kelly, speaking on behalf of local firefighters and EMS, emphasized firefighter safety and protective equipment needs and asked the board to formally acknowledge National EMS Week.
Several speakers warned of economic impacts from a tax increase. Paul Benjamin argued that higher taxes could push businesses and families away and urged spending cuts. Matt Allen, representing the Land of the Sky Association of Realtors, asked commissioners to consider revenue-neutral options, citing precedent in other counties. By contrast, Andrew Paul, an AB Tech instructor, said he supported the modest increase because it would shift more cost to owners of larger properties and generate revenue for schools and services.
Service providers also weighed in. Kevin Long of HelpMate urged the board to secure stable ongoing funding for the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP), noting the county-funded extension through December and the program's record of connecting survivors to services. Erica Swing asked commissioners to preserve visual-arts teaching positions at Asheville High and SELSA, warning that cuts would reduce students' access to arts education and supportive learning environments.
The hearing closes a required step before budget adoption; commissioners and staff said they will continue to refine the recommended budget before returning for adoption discussions in mid-June. No final action was taken May 19.
