New parking decks, affordable housing, a renovation to the Asheville Art Museum, and pedestrian improvements. All these and more are the goals of an $11.6 million fund the city of Asheville’s government wants to set up in an attempt to spur economic development. With planned savings from state legislation looking increasingly unlikely, the city may use a tax increase to make the projects a reality.
Tag: taxes
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Uncertainty still reigns in Asheville’s budget process
The public got a chance to weigh in on the city’s proposed $143 million budget at tonight’s Asheville City Council meeting. Some were critical of the priorities laid out and a proposed 1 cent tax increase. But during Council’s discussion, members revealed yet another budget plan may be in the works, with higher taxes, as they believe state legislators are unlikely to allow Asheville and Buncombe County to form a Culture and Recreations Authority that could save millions for the local governments. Photo by Max Cooper.
Inside Asheville’s “What if” budget
The perfect storm of revenue overhauls in Raleigh, a property revaluation and a major reorganization of city departments make this year’s city of Asheville budget complicated, to say the least. Here’s some important things to know before tonight’s public hearing.
Public gives little feedback on Buncombe budget plan
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held a June 4 public hearing on their $337 million budget proposal, but they didn’t hear much from the public.
LIVE: Updates from the June 4 meeting of the Buncombe Commissioners
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.
Inching towards something: Council moves forward with budget plans
With a small property tax increase and much uncertainty remaining, Asheville City Council moved one step closer to a decision on the city’s money issues tonight, as staff presented its formal budget.
Greene presents Buncombe County budget plan
Presenting her proposal to the board of commissioners May 28, Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene recommended a big tax hike to balance the budget.
LIVE: Updates from the May 28 meetings of the Buncombe Commissioners and Asheville City Council
It’s a busy evening in local government, with both the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners and Asheville City Council meeting May 28 to discuss their budgets.
Asheville City Council preview: counting coins
After much discussion, projections of potential fiscal disaster, and speculation about the next legislation to issue forth from Raleigh, the city of Asheville’s budget is finally unveiled at tonight’s Asheville City Council meeting.
Proposal calls for big tax hike to balance the Buncombe County budget
Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene is recommending commissioners approve a big tax hike to balance the budget.
Asheville City Council tentatively endorses budget plan, uncertainties remain
While noting that much of its fate remains in the hands of the state legislature, at a special meeting this morning Asheville City Council gave staff the go-ahead to start drafting a budget based on a plan that calls for a 1 cent property tax increase and assumes the city and county may consolidate their parks and recreation operations by January.
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.
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.
Tax hike on the table as Buncombe County faces tough budget
Dealing with lower property values and increased funding requests and mandates, Buncombe County faces a tough picture as it prepares its budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.
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).
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.
Asheville City Council: Fingers to the wind
Asheville City Council got glimpses of a variety of issues facing the city, including finances and state legislation. It also approved rules that make expansions and renovations of one-story buildings in downtown easier.
Use tax dollars to support more students
I enthusiastically support Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education in our schools, but there are many issues with putting it in the location recommended by the Buncombe County school board. The school will serve only 6 percent (400) of our high school students. Why not build STEM Learning Centers in our six comprehensive high […]
Council gets glimpse at budget challenges; moves on signs, drive-thrus
At a Finance Committee meeting today, city staff told Asheville City Council members that despite an increase in property values, the city still faces many of the recurring budget challenges. At its regular meeting, Council approved a controversial drive-thru development and larger signs for Biltmore Park Town Square.
Asheville City Council’s tax dilemma
Some of the biggest news in city government this week isn’t happening at Asheville City Council’s formal meeting, but at a presentation to the Finance Committee at 2 p.m. this afternoon. There, staff will lay out the effects of rising property values in the city, and the details of Council’s challenges will become more clear.
Video: Learn more about the property revaluation process
By the end of the month, every Buncombe County property owner should receive a notice in the mail from the Tax Office indicating the new value of their property for tax purposes. In this video, Buncombe County Public Relations Director Kathy Hughes discusses how those values are determined and what property owners should expect with Tax Director Gary Roberts.