Friday morning, Asheville city officials past and present were joined by some of the local legislative delegation to voice their opposition to a state bill that would forcibly transfer the water system to a new regional authority and the Metropolitan Sewerage District. At the press conference they supported City Council’s decision to sue the state in an attempt to halt the new law.
Tag: City of Asheville
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Strive Not to Drive campaign aims to promote sustainable transportation
Today, May 12, marks the beginning of the annual Strive Not to Drive campaign, which features a series of local events designed to promote active and sustainable transportation.
LIVE: Updates from the May 7 meetings of the Buncombe commissioners and Asheville City Council
It’s a busy evening in local government, with meetings of both the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners and Asheville City Council. This post features live updates from the meetings via Twitter.
Flood warning for Asheville
Due to continued flooding, the National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Asheville and nearby areas through tomorrow morning. Several days of heavy rain have led to swollen rivers and floods washing out several roads.
Council contemplates tax increase, possible water lawsuit, approves Whole Foods development
Tonight, Asheville City Council discussed a possible tax hike to help offset some financial impacts that pending state legislation could have on the current budget crunch, and Mayor Terry Bellamy said she’d vote to sue the state if it went through with a proposal to forcibly transfer the city’s water system to the Metropolitan Sewerage District. Council also approved a Tunnel Road commercial development anchored by a Whole Foods.
Asheville City Council preview: buildings and budgets
Developments in South Asheville and Tunnel Road are up for consideration at tomorrow night’s Asheville City Council meeting, along with (of course) the city’s ongoing budget crunch.
At budget town hall, Ashevilleans endorse tax hike, some cuts
Unlike the last budget crunch town hall, tonight’s Asheville City Council forum in South Asheville was less a public comment marathon and more of a brainstorming session. After breaking into small groups, the roughly 40 residents who attended endorsed a property tax increase, along with some cuts and some suggestions of their own, to close Asheville’s budget gap.
LIVE: Twitter coverage of the South Asheville budget crunch town hall
Asheville City Council’s in South Asheville tonight to talk about the budget crunch facing the city. Follow live Twitter updates from the meeting.
How we got here: A primer on Asheville’s budget crunch
The city of Asheville has dealt with budget concerns for a number of years now, but this year state legislation has pushed a manageable situation into a dire one, to hear staff and Asheville City Council tell it. How did the city get here?
City building permits on the rise
The city of Asheville issued 741 new building permits during the first quarter of the year, an increase from the last three years. The figures include both new residential and commercial construction.
Asheville City Council will hold budget crunch town hall April 18
Asheville City Council will hold a special town hall meeting on its budget situation — including the possibility of dramatic cuts — next Thursday, April 18, in the gymnasium of Koontz Intermediate School at 305 Overlook Rd.
LIVE: coverage of the April 9 Asheville City Council meeting
Discussion about the fate of the city of Asheville’s water system and the impact of a flurry of legislation coming out of the general assembly in Raleigh is on the agenda for tonight’s Asheville City Council meeting. Council will also consider a living wage requirement for some city contractors. Follow live Twitter coverage here.
Maps reveal how Asheville, county property values have shifted
Maps from the Buncombe County Tax Assessor’s office reveal how property values shifted — sometimes drastically — after the recent property revaluation. Almost every neighborhood within the city of Asheville saw values rise, while the housing market crash hit most areas of the county hard, with some areas even losing half their property value.
Emotions high as Asheville City Council raises specter of sharp service cuts
To hear Asheville City Council and city staff tell it, a manageable budget gap is now a potential crisis, thanks to proposed state legislation affecting areas from the water system to business licenses. To close the $5.9 million gap, staff have proposed sharp cuts in everything from public safety to transit to parks and recreation. At a special town hall meeting today, city residents exhorted Council against certain cuts and criticized state legislators (and occasionally the city too).
LIVE: coverage of Asheville’s budget crunch town hall
Follow live Twitter coverage of this afternoon’s town hall meeting on the city of Asheville’s budget crunch, and the radical cuts proposed to close a potential $5 million gap anticipated from state legislation. The meeting begins at 2 p.m.
Crunch time: City holds special budget town hall this afternoon, considering major cuts
A tax revaluation, rising expenses, and a barrage of state legislation are all creating a chaotic budget year for the city of Asheville. This afternoon, Asheville City Council and city staff will discuss the issues and invite the public’s input at a special 2 p.m. town hall meeting in the U.S. Cellular Center banquet hall.
Old disputes at heart of bill that transfers water system to MSD
About seven years ago, the Regional Water Authority of Asheville, Buncombe and Henderson County fell apart. The creation of what had been an historic agreement involving the three governments, ongoing disputes and frustrations led Asheville officials to end the partnership in 2005. Fast-forward to the March 28 filing of House Bill 488, which transfers the Asheville water system to the Metropolitan Sewerage District.
McGrady, Moffitt, Ramsey file bill to move control of Asheville’s water system to MSD
State representatives Chuck McGrady, Tim Moffitt, and Nathan Ramsey have filed a bill to take control of Asheville’s water system and transfer it to the Metropolitan Sewerage District.
Former APD evidence room manager pleads guilty to embezzling drugs
Former Asheville Police Department evidence room manager William Lee Smith has pleaded guilty to a federal charge for embezzling $10-30,000 in drugs from the evidence room, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Asheville City Council approves fee increases
At an early meeting with only five of its usual seven members, Asheville City Council approved increases in water, trash and parking fees, among others.
LIVE: Twitter coverage of the March 26 Asheville City Council meeting
Fee increases for trash, water, parking, and more are on the agenda at Asheville City Council’s March 26 meeting, held earlier than usual at 2:30 p.m. Follow live Twitter updates.