May 21, 2026 Budget Work Session

Recap of May 21, 2026 Budget Work Session

On May 21, 2026, the town held a detailed Budget Work Session to review and discuss proposed spending for the upcoming year. This session, focused on key areas like public safety, infrastructure, waste management, recreation, and social services, aimed to identify potential challenges, explore cost-saving measures, and ensure the budget aligns with community priorities. While no formal votes were taken during this session, it served as a crucial opportunity for town officials to delve into the specifics of the proposed budget.

A significant portion of the discussion centered on public safety, particularly the Police Department's request for a $545,000 budget increase. While adjustments will net this to $285,000, concerns were raised about the aging police vehicle fleet and ongoing staffing shortages due to retirements and building relocation. Addressing these issues is vital for maintaining effective proactive policing, currently strained by the need to prioritize critical incident responses. The discussion also touched on ongoing negotiations with Buncombe County regarding costs for the Regional Municipal Services (RMS) CAD system and prisoner processing, a key area for potential cost reduction.

Beyond public safety, the session explored challenges within Public Works and Infrastructure, including rising personnel costs, building maintenance needs, and the ongoing negotiations with FEMA regarding floodplain regulations impacting Veterans Park restroom replacement and the shooting range relocation. Waste management was another major focus, with rising disposal fees (estimated to increase from $180,000 to $245,000 annually) prompting consideration of a proposed $5 increase in sanitation fees. This increase could generate approximately $250,000 but also requires addressing challenges related to Waste Pro’s new policy regarding plastic bags for leaf collection and the limited operating hours of the town's transfer station.

The Recreation Department’s budget was reviewed, emphasizing the importance of tracking program revenues using RepDesk to ensure financial sustainability. Exploring rental opportunities for unused town building space was also discussed as a potential revenue stream. Concerns were raised regarding the Council on Aging's ability to fully cover meal costs, potentially requiring town funding support. Finally, discussions highlighted a funding shortfall for the Black Mountain Trailblazer and Asheville Bus Route 170, alongside confusion surrounding a vehicle fee.

While no public comments were received during the transcribed portion of this meeting, graveyard maintenance (related to Public Works) was acknowledged as a community concern. The session concluded with several key action items assigned to town staff and department heads, demonstrating a commitment to addressing identified challenges.

What Happens Next? Several critical next steps were outlined: Chief Parker will provide a detailed staffing report for the Police Department and continue negotiations with Buncombe County. Town staff are tasked with researching sales tax rates in neighboring municipalities, investigating options for handling leaf collection following Waste Pro’s policy change, and exploring the feasibility of renting out unused town building space. Discussions with FEMA regarding floodplain regulations will continue, and staff are working to clarify funding descriptions within the budget documents. The council plans to hold further budget discussions at their next meeting, culminating in a public hearing later in June to present and finalize the budget. This work session was an important step toward ensuring a balanced and responsive budget that addresses community needs while maintaining responsible financial management.