# 2026.03.10 Town of Woodfin Town Council Budget Work Session

**Body:** Town of Woodfin — Woodfin Town Council
**Date:** March 10, 2026 3:03 PM EDT (2026-03-10T15:03:02-04:00)

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1516

## Summary

The Woodfin Town Council convened a Budget Work Session on March 10, 2026, to initiate discussions regarding the upcoming fiscal year (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027) budget. This session served as the first of several planned meetings designed to foster open dialogue and inform final budgetary decisions. The meeting focused on reviewing the town’s financial health, including a five-year forecast, revenue and expenditure trends, and the impact of recent economic factors.

During the session, Finance and Budget Director Sherry Powers led presentations outlining the state-mandated budget process, the five-year financial forecast, and fund balance policies. The council reviewed data showing consistent sales tax growth since 2019, though staff noted a slight dip in early 2026 potentially linked to a federal government shutdown. Discussions also covered the impact of the 2026 property revaluation year, current economic trends, and the financial effects of previous hurricane recovery expenses, which were partially offset by FEMA reimbursements. Powers clarified that the town’s fund balance is intended for one-time expenses rather than ongoing budget supplementation, noting that a 30-70% range is more appropriate for Woodfin than the state’s 8% minimum.

The council examined specific expenditure categories, including street repair funding via Powell Bill funds, capital improvement projects, and community grant programs. Staff presented information on allocations to organizations such as ABCCM and MHO, with council members expressing a desire for more real-time data to better target assistance within the town. The discussion also included an overview of Habitat for Humanity’s research on substandard homes in Buncombe County and a review of a proposed $83,500 budget allocation for fiscal year 2027. The council compared Woodfin’s tax rates to neighboring jurisdictions, with staff agreeing to compile more detailed comparative data on local taxes and fees.

No public comments were solicited or received during this work session, as it was designated for internal discussion and the presentation of informational materials. The council unanimously approved the meeting agenda, but no other formal votes were taken, as the session was primarily informational. The Mayor was absent but indicated they would review the materials asynchronously.

Following the meeting, staff members agreed to specific follow-up actions. The Town Manager and Sherry Powers will present the proposed budget to the council at the regular May meeting. Staff will update sales tax revenue projections with actual deposit figures and seek competitive quotes for employee health insurance. Additionally, town staff member Shannon will investigate the feasibility of requesting more specific data from ABCCM and MHO regarding assistance provided within Woodfin. The council will continue budget discussions at two additional work sessions, with a public hearing scheduled for June and a final budget adoption vote required by July 1.

## Votes

- Council Member Kahn made a motion to approve the agenda. Council Member Cohen seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 5-0. — Passed, 5-0

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P17Qi10c7BM
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/1313/segments

## Documents

- [presentation_2026-03-10.pptx](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1516?document=14307)
- [minutes_2026-03-10.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1516?document=14308)
- [agenda_2026-03-10.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1516?document=14306)

## Sources

- [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P17Qi10c7BM)