City Council Meeting Recap: May 13, 2025

The Asheville City Council held a regular meeting on May 13, 2025, focusing heavily on recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene, financial approvals, and the presentation of the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget. The session included a public hearing regarding the financing of McCormick Field improvements and the formal presentation of the city’s annual operating budget.

Key Decisions The Council voted unanimously (6-0) on a series of resolutions and budget amendments. Major financial and operational decisions included:

• Tropical Storm Helene Recovery: The Council ratified an emergency contract with Campbell Inc. for the Mills River Water Treatment Plant and a license agreement with Transform LeaseCo, LLC for a temporary staging area at 1001 Patton Avenue. They also authorized the City Manager to execute a $5 million FEMA Community Disaster Loan (CDL) to help balance the budget and support essential services.
• McCormick Field: Following a public hearing, the Council approved an initial resolution authorizing the negotiation of $35 million in Limited Obligation Bonds (LOBs) to fund stadium improvements. Additionally, the Council authorized the execution of a 20-year lease with DeWine Seeds - Silver Dollar Baseball LLC (Asheville Tourists) and accepted grant funding from the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA).
• Opioid Settlement Funds: The Council established a special revenue fund for opioid settlement funds and approved a budget amendment transferring $811,808 of existing funds into this new account to comply with state law.
• Contracts and Agreements: The Council approved a sole-source procurement for Verkada security cameras, a sole-source purchase of Paratech rescue equipment for the Fire Department, and a one-year extension of the transit operations contract with RATPDev USA. They also approved amendments to agreements with Buncombe County, including an extension of the tax collection agreement and an additional $135,074.80 in rental assistance funding.
• Other Approvals: The Council appointed Deputy Finance Officers, approved a $3,894,000 budget amendment for small Helene recovery projects (to be reimbursed by FEMA), and approved a $7,000 change order for the DeBruhl Water Treatment Plant chemical storage project.

Discussion Highlights A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the presentation of the proposed FY 2025-26 budget. The budget, totaling $256 million, includes a 3.26-cent increase in the property tax rate per $100 of assessed value (approximately $114/year for an average homeowner) to fund employee compensation adjustments and maintain financial reserves. During the briefing session preceding the formal votes, Councilmember Roney emphasized the need for transparency and accountability regarding staffing shortages at Asheville Rides Transit (ART). Councilmember Hess expressed interest in exploring the financial implications of adding firefighters, while Councilmember Sage Turner highlighted the importance of considering structural changes in public works to address staffing challenges. The City Manager emphasized the need for a long-term, strategic approach to addressing homelessness, noting that 35% of those identified in the recent Point-in-Time Count reported their situation was due to Tropical Storm Helene.

Community Input No public comment was taken during the briefing session. However, a public hearing was held during the formal meeting regarding the proposed financing for McCormick Field improvements, allowing citizens to provide feedback on the $35 million bond issuance.

Follow-ups Staff members agreed to provide detailed numbers on the impact of adding firefighters and to investigate the feasibility of a 30-60 day budget. Staff also agreed to send the Council the draft strategic plan from the Continuum of Care. The City Manager’s proposed budget is scheduled to be presented again at the May 27 meeting, with final adoption expected in June.

Impact These decisions directly affect residents through the proposed property tax increase, which will fund employee raises and storm recovery efforts. The approval of the McCormick Field bonds and lease secures the future of the Asheville Tourists and the stadium's role in the local economy. The establishment of the opioid settlement fund ensures that federal litigation money is managed according to state requirements, while the various contract extensions and emergency ratifications ensure the continuity of essential services like transit, water treatment, and fire safety during the ongoing recovery from Tropical Storm Helene.