Budget Retreat

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will hold a Budget Retreat on November 13th, 2025, to plan the county's finances for the next two fiscal years (2026-2027). Discussions will center on reviewing the current year's budget performance, outlining priorities for future spending, and addressing potential challenges. A significant portion of the retreat will focus on how federal legislation changes – including possible government shutdowns and adjustments to programs like Medicaid and SNAP – could impact Buncombe County residents.

A key topic under consideration is a potential shift to a single, county-wide fire tax district. This change aims to improve financial stability and service standards for all unincorporated areas of the county, and residents may want to follow this discussion closely. The retreat will also involve planning for community investments like affordable housing and arts funding, as well as recovery efforts related to recent weather events. While no formal votes are expected during this planning session, the discussions will directly inform future budget decisions impacting residents.

Following the retreat, several additional work sessions are scheduled throughout January and April 2026, culminating in the final budget adoption on June 2nd. Residents interested in learning more about how their tax dollars are spent and the future direction of Buncombe County services are encouraged to attend or watch these meetings, which will be publicly accessible.