Buncombe County Holds FY2026 Budget Work Session Focused on Education and Fire Districts
Buncombe County Commissioners held their third FY2026 Budget Work Session on May 2, 2025, with a primary focus on fire district tax rates and public education funding. The session, led by Budget Director John Hudson, is part of a multi-month public budgeting process that will conclude with the budget adoption scheduled for June 3.
Fire District Tax Rates and Public Safety Investments
The session began with a detailed review of proposed fire district tax rate adjustments. Of the 20 fire districts, six requested rate increases for FY2026:
- Enka-Candler: +1.5¢ increase (to 13.50¢), generating approximately $488,000.
- Reynolds: +1.87¢ increase (to 13.11¢), generating over $190,000.
- Swannanoa: +1.0¢ increase (to 15.00¢), generating $132,715.
- Upper Hominy: +1.6¢ increase (to 20.60¢), generating $95,917.
- West Buncombe: +1.5¢ increase (to 15.00¢), generating over $300,000.
French Broad adjusted its initial request for a one-cent tax increase, but with the May 2 meeting, French Broad's request was reduced to a half-cent increase. The French Broad Fire District's proposed tax rate is now 22.70.
These adjustments support continued investment in emergency response services and reflect conversations between fire departments and County leadership to align requests with fiscal realities.
School Capital and Operational Funding
The School Capital Fund Commission presented a five-year funding history and project prioritization criteria. For FY2026, $11 million for 17 school capital projects are projected to be funded, subject to Board approval. Funding sources primarily include Article 39 sales tax revenue.
Project criteria:
- Be greater than $100,000
- Correct safety & health concerns
- Comply with legal requirements
- Maintain lowest life-cycle cost
- Improve the educational environment
A broader education funding discussion highlighted the County’s role in supporting school infrastructure and operations, with statutory responsibilities under North Carolina law. FY2026 placeholder funding for education totals approximately $121.5 million, representing the County’s largest single area of investment.
Education Presentations
Representatives from Asheville City Schools (ACS), Buncombe County Schools (BCS), and Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (AB Tech) presented funding needs and priorities. Presentations emphasized facility maintenance, teacher supplements, and community workforce partnerships. AB Tech's Article 46 funding—capped at $5 million—was also reviewed.
AB-Tech's FY2026 budget request is $8,396,570, down from $8,700,207 in FY2025. To view AB Tech's presentation, click here.
The ACS FY2026 budget request includes a proposed 1.38¢ supplemental tax increase to generate approximately $1.5 million as well as an increase in local appropriation by $2.41 million. To view the ACS presentation, click here.
The BCS FY2026 budget request of $105,880,424 includes an increase of $10,315,520 over the previous year's budget. To view the BCS presentation, click here.
Budget Adjustments and Fiscal Outlook
Recent updates to the FY2026 budget include a $2.4 million increase in projected revenue due to improved investment earnings, permit revenues, and tax collections. Meanwhile, $4.6 million in discretionary community investments were trimmed to help close a projected $16.8 million budget gap.
Reductions impacted programs such as:
- Strategic Partnership and Tipping Point Grants
- Affordable Housing Services Program (AHSP)
- Reparations contributions
The second pass budget now totals $434.7 million, with education, public safety, and human services comprising the largest spending areas.
Next steps in the Buncombe County budget process:
- May 6: County Manager’s Recommended Budget released
- May 20: Public Hearing
- June 3: Budget Adoption
The full County presentation including information from fire districts can be accessed here.
For more information on the FY2026 budget and to view work session materials, visit www.buncombecounty.org/budget. To view the meeting, go to www.facebook.com/buncombegov.