Buncombe Commissioners preview: Know your numbers

After recent marathon meetings over contentious personnel issues and a greenways plan, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners has a relatively quieter agenda on tap for Sept. 18.

The commissioners will cast the final vote on a plan to reevaluate property values for tax purposes a year before they’re required to by state law. The vote is mostly a technicality; the commissioners previously held a public hearing on the matter and voted to approve the plan Aug. 14 by a 4–1 margin.

Commissioner Holly Jones cast the only vote against the measure, fearing it could result in a bigger tax burden on poor and working-class residents. Supporters say the move is needed now because the real estate market has undergone major changes since the last valuation was conducted in 2006.

If given final approval during the Sept. 18 meeting, county residents should be notified in January of their property’s new tax value.

In other business, the board will hear an update on its “Know Your Numbers Incentive,” which offers county employees paid time off in exchange for improving health indicators such as blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index and blood sugar levels.

The board will meet at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 18, in the commissioner’s chambers, located at 30 Valley St. 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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