Town Council Workshop & Budget Message - April 13 2026

Weaverville Town Council Grapples with Budget Challenges & Potential Tax Adjustments

On April 13, 2026, the Weaverville Town Council held a comprehensive workshop focused on crafting the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. The meeting, attended by all council members and Town Manager, centered on addressing a projected shortfall between expenses and revenues while considering the needs of town employees and residents. The discussion was detailed, covering a wide range of topics from personnel costs to capital improvement projects and ongoing negotiations with the county.

A significant portion of the workshop revolved around potential revenue solutions to bridge the budget gap. The county provided a “revenue neutral” tax rate of $0.27, compared to the current rate of $0.38. The council engaged in a robust debate regarding a proposed increase to $0.31, which would generate an additional $747,500 in revenue. Council members expressed concerns about the impact of any tax increase on residents, with discussions focusing on how such a change would affect homeowners. Residents were provided with examples: an increase of $0.04 would equate to an additional $160 per year for a $400,000 home and $200 for a $500,000 home. Alongside the tax rate discussion, strategies like delaying land purchases for fire services, exploring options for relocating the police department, and carefully considering merit increases for employees were also explored as potential cost-saving measures.

Beyond revenue, the council engaged in detailed discussions about staffing and capital projects. Plans to add one HR position, part-time finance staff, two police officers, and a water treatment plant operator were reviewed. Discussions about capital projects included deferring street paving to the following fiscal year and prioritizing sidewalk improvements, facility upgrades, and equipment replacements across various departments. A notable point of discussion was a potential $3 million grant from Explore Asheville for pickleball courts, with the council ultimately voting to eliminate a cap on the application, allowing for a potential request of up to $5 million. The council also acknowledged the town’s current healthy fund balance of approximately $6.7 million and debated whether to utilize it to offset operational costs or rely on increasing the tax rate.

Community input was provided during a public comment period. Darla Letourneau, a resident, urged the council to improve communication with residents regarding budget discussions, suggesting increased use of email lists and social media. Jeff, another resident, commended the council’s thorough approach to a challenging situation. The council also addressed governance guidelines for communication between council members and town staff, aiming to ensure clear channels and avoid direct staff interaction. A resolution opposing state-imposed limitations on local property tax authority was approved, demonstrating the council’s commitment to maintaining local control over financial decisions. Finally, recognizing a need for improved efficiency, the council discussed implementing AI technology to assist with recording and generating meeting minutes.

Looking ahead, the Weaverville Town Council has several key steps planned to finalize the FY 2027 budget. The town will host community conversations on April 22nd, followed by additional budget workshops on April 27th and May 11th (which will include a public hearing). The final budget adoption is scheduled for the Town Council meeting on June 28th. The Town Manager will also provide additional data and analysis regarding the financial implications of various budget scenarios to inform these discussions. Residents are encouraged to participate in upcoming workshops and hearings to share their perspectives on the town's financial priorities.