Buncombe County will pledge $4.2 million toward the redevelopment of Lee Walker Heights and consider trying to completely run on renewable energy by 2027.
Tag: Buncombe County
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Property tax rate up, nonprofit funding down as Buncombe commissioners close out budget
Taxes are going up as the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners signed off on a budget that includes a 2.6-cent property tax hike while lowering funding for some area nonprofits.
Board of Adjustment approves vacation complex, 17-home subdivision
The Buncombe County Board of Adjustment approved all the projects on its agenda during its meeting on Wednesday, June 15. A proposed 221-unit apartment complex on Overlook Road was also officially postponed to next month’s meeting.
Frustration mounts over proposed South Asheville development, construction in general
A conditional use permit hearing for a South Asheville apartment development originally set for next week has been pushed until July at the request of the developer.
Attorney General Josh Stein discusses opioid crisis in WNC
State Attorney General Josh Stein visited Asheville on June 6 to discuss the region’s efforts to combat the far-reaching effects of the opioid crisis. While not alone among North Carolina counties in dealing with drug abuse, overdoses and drug-related deaths, Buncombe County’s problem is significant, local representatives and Stein said.
Sales tax, solar farm deal change course; development frustrations arise
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners heard development frustrations from Ridgecrest and South Asheville residents ahead of approving measures to shift a sales tax and backtrack on a deal with Duke Energy.
County manager, commissioner chair: revenue-neutral tax rate unlikely
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners did not take any official action on the proposed budget during its meeting on Tuesday, June 6. But discussions revealed that a revenue-neutral property tax rate is not likely to happen.
Solar farm redo, sales tax diversion and budget on deck for commissioners
Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget, consider diverting the A-B Tech sales tax fund and discuss backing out of a deal with Duke Energy to conduct a solar farm feasibility study.
County nonprofit funding at odds with resolution guidelines
As commissioners considering funding projects with community grants, Xpress looks at the performance contracts used to monitor the process and finds commissioners aren’t adhering to suggested guidelines.
County Manager Greene offers letter of resignation
Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene will retire from her position on July 1. She cites “times are changing and interests have shifted” as one reason why she is stepping down.
Asheville and Buncombe County pay tribute to fallen veterans and emergency responders
Despite gray skies and sporadic rain showers, a crowd of more than 200 gathered in Pack Square Park on May 29 to pay tribute to fallen veterans and local emergency responders. Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Chair Brownie Newman and representatives from different branches of the military, as well as local police and fire departments, presented a wreath to honor the fallen.
Despite progress, concerns about the I-26 Connector persist
When the DOT finally decided on a design for Section B of the Connector project in 2015, many stakeholders thought they saw light at the end of a very long tunnel. Other residents, however, see serious flaws in Alternative 4B, questioning whether the project’s long-term benefits will justify the sacrifices their neighborhoods must make to see it completed.
Schools may be key to property tax relief
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held a nearly five-hour budget workshop May 16, a forum dedicated to presentations and requests from county departments. However, talks also showed a possible path toward nudging closer to a revenue-neutral property tax rate. A taxing issue County Manager Wanda Greene’s proposed budget for next fiscal year is $419,289,728, […]
Commissioners debate Duke solar farm: ‘smug’ or smart
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners had a rare splitting of party lines as a partnership with Duke Energy caused a riff among Democrats.
Tuesday History: Scoping out Asheville’s prospects in 1869
Take a look at Asheville’s people, population, climate, institutions, churches, wine making, factories, rent and faith in 1869.
Blunt talk: Medical marijuana takes root
Buncombe County commissioners identified combating opioid abuse and increasing teacher salary supplements as top priorities. But is legal marijuana a viable strategy for achieving those goals, or merely smoke and mirrors?
Rowdy, marathon BOA meeting highlights development, traffic frustrations
The Board of Adjustment soldiered through a more than five hour meeting that had Buncombe County residents rallying against multiple development projects.
255-unit apartment complex, 54-home subdivision on BOA agenda
The Buncombe County Board of Adjustment will consider conditional use permits for a 255-unit apartment complex in Arden and a subdivision with 54 homes in Riceville when it meets on Wednesday, May 10.
Budget talks spark old beef, new tax rate discussion
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners started consideration of the property tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year during its meeting on Tuesday, May 2.
Budget, tax talks and Duke Energy rezoning top commissioners’ agenda
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will hear budget requests from Asheville City Schools and A-B Tech during its meeting on Tuesday, May 2.
Passing the torch: What happens when local business owners retire?
With 45 percent of business owners in Buncombe County alone facing retirement in the next decade, local groups and service providers are encouraging them to start planning for their company’s next chapter, while simultaneously devising ways to turn an impending crisis into an opportunity for employees to shoulder new responsibilities.