Buncombe County Faces Tough Times Ahead

News Summary

Buncombe County, hit hard by Hurricane Helene, is preparing for significant financial difficulties. With unemployment skyrocketing to 10.4% and a predicted revenue loss of $15-25 million for FY25, local officials are discussing budget cuts, including a $4.7 million reduction in educational funding. Community leaders express concern over the impact on schools, while the county strategically seeks financial aid to alleviate the situation. As budget discussions progress, the focus remains on maintaining essential services and fostering resilience among residents.

Buncombe County Faces Tough Times Ahead

In the beautiful city of Asheville, Buncombe County is bracing for some difficult financial adjustments following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. On January 16, the local county commissioners teamed up with the Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools Boards of Education to kickstart discussions on the FY25 budget, which will carry through until June 30, 2025.

The Economic Fallout

It’s been no secret that Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on the community, but the numbers are staggering. Buncombe County, unfortunately, leads North Carolina in unemployment with a rate of 10.4% as of October, a sharp increase from 2.5% in September. To put this into perspective, over 10,600 residents found themselves without jobs just one month after the storm. Add to this the fact that more than 9,200 residential units suffered damage, with at least 331 homes completely destroyed and 609 severely damaged.

Tourism Takes a Hit

The county’s essential tourism sector isn’t faring any better. Collections from the occupancy tax, which measures tourism-related economic activity, plummeted by a whopping 74% in October compared to the previous year. Overall, occupancy tax collections have dropped by 35%, translating to a loss of about $5.9 million through November 2024 compared to FY24. Additionally, sales tax revenues have sagged by 7%, equating to about $1 million lost through the end of October 2024.

Budget Cuts on the Horizon

With these alarming figures, the county braces for anticipated revenue losses between $15 million and $25 million for the FY25 budget. To manage these financial woes, Buncombe County has enacted a $17.6 million expenditure reduction plan. Local educators are particularly concerned as the county board plans to cut educational appropriations by approximately $4.7 million. This proposal would result in $718,577 less for Asheville City Schools and a staggering $3,971,874 drop for Buncombe County Schools.

The Legal Landscape

Under North Carolina General Statute 159-13(b)(9), these appropriations can only be adjusted downward in light of dire economic conditions. This acknowledges the weighty responsibility on the county commissioners to see that the budget remains balanced as mandated by state law. As the situation develops, officials will keep a close watch on revenue inflows, pinpoint savings opportunities, and control expenses.

Looking Ahead

The county has already initiated a budget retreat for FY26, laying the groundwork for financial priorities in light of the ongoing recovery process. Buncombe County is determined to maintain a healthy fund balance to secure a AAA bond rating, a key factor for low-cost borrowing to fund upcoming projects.

Community Response

In the wake of these tough financial decisions, educators and community groups have not shied away from voicing their concerns. Many fear that these cuts could significantly strain both school systems, leaving them with limited strategies to protect essential student services. A series of planned demonstrations are set to take place before the commissioners meet again on January 21, underlining the urgency of the situation.

Hope on the Horizon

Buncombe County is proactive in seeking financial aid and recovery funds, hoping to replenish school funding as disaster relief arrives from state or federal sources in the future. However, as the county navigates the challenging road ahead due to Hurricane Helene’s costly aftermath, tough decisions will be inevitable. Residents remain hopeful that the community will band together to overcome these obstacles and emerge stronger than ever.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Budget Cuts Loom Over Asheville’s Schools
Buncombe County Leaders Discuss School Consolidation Plans
Asheville City and Buncombe County Schools Explore Merger
Asheville Community Faces Lawsuit Against Christian Academy
Asheville City Council Addresses Funding Delays for Disaster Recovery
Candidates Prepare for Asheville City Council Election
UNC Asheville and UNC Greensboro Face Budget Cuts
Asheville City Council creates downtown Business Improvement District and faces dissent

Additional Resources

• WLOS: Educators Call on Buncombe County Leaders to Reject Budget Cuts
• WLOS: Buncombe County Cuts Budget Sparking Community Protest
• MSN: Buncombe County Leaders Discuss School Consolidation Study
• MSN: Buncombe County Leaders Discuss Consolidation Study and Budget
• AVL Today: Recommended Buncombe County FY25 Budget
• Wikipedia: Buncombe County, North Carolina
• Google Search: Buncombe County
• Google News: Buncombe County Budget Cuts

Author: HERE Asheville