Public invited to weigh in on Buncombe budget plan June 4

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will hold a June 4 public hearing on the budget, giving residents a chance to voice their opinions on changes to the tax rate and government spending.

The plan they’re considering for the 2013-14 fiscal year, which begins July 1, calls for raising the property-tax rate by roughly 15 percent. Drafted by County Manager Wanda Greene, she blames the sputtering economy, a drop in property values, increased funding requests and unfunded federal mandates for the change.

See more details of the budget proposal here.

In addition, the commissioners will hold a special June 4 workshop to consider Buncombe County capital projects.

Greene’s 2014 budget plan calls for spending $18 million on a new building for Isaac Dickson Elementary school. Her long-range plan also calls for constructing a new building for Asheville Middle School, with construction beginning in 2016 at a cost of $40 million.

Major projects proposed in upcoming years also include a $30 million aquatics facility, a $3.4 million upgrade to Lake Julian Park, $1 million towards implementing the Greenways Master Plan, and more than $5 million in upgrades to county libraries.

The capital project workshop will be held in room 316 at 200 College St., beginning at 11:30 a.m.

The public hearing on the budget will be held in room 326 at 200 College St., beginning at 4:30 p.m. A short pre-meeting review of the agenda will begin at 4:15 p.m.

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About Jake Frankel
Jake Frankel is an award-winning journalist who enjoys covering a wide range of topics, from politics and government to business, education and entertainment.

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