Board of Equalization and Review Meeting

Buncombe County Board of Equalization and Review Meeting Recap – February 24, 2025

The Buncombe County Board of Equalization and Review convened on Monday, February 24, 2025, to address property tax appeals and exemption applications. The meeting marked the official introduction of newly appointed board members: Randall Barnett (Chairperson), Glinda Weinert (Vice Chairperson), Preston Edwards, Phil Blake, and Katarina Leger. The primary focus of the meeting revolved around reviewing appeals related to property tax assessments and considering applications for exemptions benefiting elderly and disabled veterans.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to hearing appeals concerning late filing penalties. Representatives from Lazy Boy Furniture Galleries, Airflow Healthcare, and Unify Aviation presented their cases, citing confusion regarding tax deadlines. Lazy Boy Furniture Galleries explained that penalties stemmed from a previous accountant’s oversight, while Airflow Healthcare and Unify Aviation both mistakenly believed the deadline aligned with federal tax filing dates (April 15th) rather than Buncombe County’s March 15th deadline. Following deliberation, the board voted 3-2 to grant Lazy Boy Furniture Galleries a 50% reduction in penalties, resulting in a partial refund. However, appeals from Airflow Healthcare and Unify Aviation were denied by the same 3-2 vote. The board unanimously approved five applications for elderly/disabled veteran property tax exemptions, providing much-needed relief to eligible residents.

Beyond the individual appeals, discussions centered on preparing for the upcoming formal appeal period in April and May. The board will participate in a training session led by representatives from the Department of Revenue (DOR), Lindsay and Stan, scheduled for sometime in March. This training will focus on market value assessments and other relevant topics to ensure consistent application of rules and regulations. A brief discussion also took place regarding board member compensation, which is currently set at $125 per meeting. Board members will soon receive and complete necessary forms (NC4 & W4) for compensation processing. Finally, the board was informed of an upcoming county office relocation to 35 Woodfin Avenue, consolidating collections and planning/permitting services.

While there were no direct public comments during the meeting, the discussions surrounding the appeals highlighted a potential area for improvement: clearer communication from Buncombe County regarding tax deadlines. Board members, including Chairperson Randall Barnett, emphasized the importance of consistency in applying rules and regulations to all taxpayers.

Looking Ahead: Residents can expect the following actions as a result of this meeting: Board members will finalize their compensation paperwork. The DOR training session in March will equip the board with updated knowledge for handling future appeals. County staff will disseminate notices regarding the formal appeal period, providing residents with ample opportunity to challenge their property tax assessments. The move to a new office location at 35 Woodfin Avenue will streamline county services, potentially improving efficiency for residents interacting with the Board of Equalization and Review.

This meeting underscored the Board's commitment to upholding established tax procedures while also recognizing opportunities for enhanced clarity and fairness within the system.