“This could be a catastrophic change in revenue year over year,” said Mayor Esther Manheimer about projections for fiscal year 2021. “Before we start spending new money, I want to know if we’re going to see a little bit of a normalization on the horizon. I don’t want to be sitting here with a $20 million deficit in the next fiscal year.”
ASHEVILLE, N.C.
The A-B Tech Board of Trustees accepted a compromise earlier this month that would enable the college to address a $25 million maintenance backlog using yearly payments from revenue generated by a quarter-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2011. Commissioners will consider the proposal during their meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 19.
The A-B Tech Board of Trustees and Buncombe County are in the early stages of a compromise plan for the use of sales tax revenue for maintenance, capital and operating costs at the college.
A quarter-cent sales tax on all purchases in Buncombe County would be earmarked for transit improvements, as required by state law, while a 1 percent tax on prepared foods and beverages bought in the city could be used as general funds. Both taxes would require approval by voter referendum, projected to take place in 2020.
If City Council votes to approve the proposed Charlotte Street Improvement Project, the road would be cut from four car lanes to three, making room for dedicated bike lanes and pedestrian improvements. Should Council approve the plan, bidding for construction is projected to begin this winter, with construction to start next spring or summer and finish by fall.
The proposed downtown Asheville Business Improvement District isn’t just controversial within the city limits: four towns, along with the Buncombe County Fire Chiefs’ Association, oppose the measure because it will reduce the sales-tax revenue they receive from the county.
Among other actions, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 6 to levy a quarter-cent sales-tax increase to fund capital improvements at A-B Tech.
As one who has worked in economic and workforce development for many years, I am writing to express my personal and unequivocal support for A-B Tech’s sales-tax referendum in November. A-B Tech provides the support, services and education that our community needs to be economically viable. The funds that will be generated through the quarter-cent […]
In this edition of the Mountain Xpress’ local news podcast, reporter Jake Frankel talks about Buncombe County’s proposed—and controversial—1/4 cent sales tax to benefit A-B Tech.
At this evening’s Jan. 18 meeting, the Buncombe County County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to put a one-quarter-of-1-cent sales-tax increase on the ballot to help fund $129 million in building improvements at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. The measure is now set to go up for a public vote on Election Day, Nov. 8.
