Community Briefing | July 2, 2026

Buncombe County Community Briefing Recap: Property Tax Changes and What They Mean for You

On July 2, 2026, the Buncombe County Community Briefing focused on two recently passed North Carolina state bills – Senate Bill 889 and Senate Bill 474 – and their potential impact on Buncombe County residents. The meeting, attended by County Manager Avril Pinder and Board Chair Amanda Edwards, provided an update on these legislative changes and the choices facing county officials.

The core of the discussion centered around how Buncombe County will respond to Senate Bill 889, which places a one-year moratorium on using updated property tax reappraisals for the upcoming fiscal year. Buncombe County recently completed a reappraisal, effective January 1, 2026, meaning this moratorium delays the implementation of those updated values for tax purposes. Senate Bill 474 adds another layer to the situation, offering Buncombe County a potential exemption from this moratorium – but only if the county adopts what’s known as a “revenue-neutral” tax rate.

The Board of Commissioners now faces a critical decision: either adopt a revenue-neutral tax rate, setting the rate at approximately $0.40 per $100 of assessed value, or remain subject to the moratorium. County officials warned that adopting a revenue-neutral rate would result in a significant $24.8 million reduction in county revenue, potentially impacting essential services like schools, law enforcement, healthcare, libraries, and emergency response. The alternative – remaining subject to the moratorium – would require adjusting the tax rate upwards from its current $43.2 per $100 of assessed value to balance the budget, impacting tax rates for Asheville City Schools, Unified Fire Tax Districts, and other municipalities within the county. Beyond property taxes, the legislation is also expected to lead to losses in public service utility tax revenues for Buncombe County and other municipalities.

During the meeting, County Manager Pinder and Board Chair Edwards emphasized the county’s commitment to transparency and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Edwards expressed particular concern about the potential impact on residents, highlighting the importance of the current budget in supporting vital community services. County officials also acknowledged the hard work of county staff, especially those within the tax department, in navigating these complex changes.

The meeting concluded with several key action items and takeaways for residents. Most importantly, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will reconvene later this month to make a final decision on whether to adopt the revenue-neutral tax rate or remain under the moratorium. This decision will likely delay the mailing of property tax bills, but residents can access their tax information and billing details online sooner. Residents are strongly encouraged to sign up for Buncombe County Alerts (buncombeready.org) to receive timely updates on tax bill timelines and other relevant information. Finally, the county will launch a public information campaign to ensure everyone understands the potential impact of these legislative changes.

This briefing underscored a challenging situation for Buncombe County, requiring difficult decisions to be made that will directly affect residents and the services they rely on. The coming weeks will be crucial as the Board of Commissioners deliberates, and residents are encouraged to stay informed through BC Alerts and the county’s public information campaign.