Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Terminates Long-Serving Tax Assessor Amid Conflict of Interest Allegations

Changes in Buncombe County: Tax Assessor Terminated

Asheville, N.C. – In a surprising turn of events, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners made a unanimous decision on September 17 to remove property tax assessor Keith Miller from his position. This decision takes effect immediately, and Miller, who spent a whopping 28 years serving the county, claims that the termination is unjustified.

Reason Behind the Termination

In a letter dated September 6 that was addressed to Miller and signed by Commission Chair Brownie Newman, the county outlined the reason for their decision. It stated that Miller had violated the county’s “Conflict of Interest Policy.” The letter mentioned a real estate transaction that took place in June 2024, during which Miller purchased a property in South Carolina with an individual named R.S., someone he directly supervises.

According to Newman’s letter, the Board believes that Miller’s personal dealings could create a conflict of interest that may improperly influence his responsibilities as a public employee. It emphasized the importance of maintaining a clear boundary between public duties and private interests.

The Property and Relationship

Miller confirmed the purchase of a property in Hilton Head, S.C. for $684,000, alongside R.S., with whom he took out a mortgage for $411,000. Initially, there were talks about transforming the property into a short-term rental, which Miller considered a smart investment opportunity. He insisted not being involved in the day-to-day business management and noted, “It was an investment – a lot of us do it every day.”

However, Miller faced criticism when the termination letter claimed he resided with R.S. at a property in Black Mountain. Miller vehemently rejected this assertion, stating, “That is untrue. The factual information was presented to the County. I gave them documentation to show we did not live together.” He emphasized that he is married with children and that his relationship with R.S. was purely business-related.

Potential Legal Action

As a result of his termination at the age of 60, Miller is at risk of losing some retirement benefits that are linked to his long-standing service with the county, where he reportedly earned over $140,000 annually. Having consulted with an attorney, Miller is now contemplating legal action against the county but has not finalized his decision yet. He expressed his feelings by stating, “I don’t feel there’s good cause here.”

A Look at the Future

Documents obtained also revealed a Limited Liability Company created by R.S. for the short-term rental named Living Luxe Investments, LLC, where Miller’s name appeared as a member. Interestingly, he listed the county assessor’s office as his business address, further complicating the conflict of interest allegations.

As many residents adjust to the recent changes and digest the news, it remains to be seen how this situation will evolve. The Buncombe County Commissioners have indicated their commitment to upholding ethical standards and addressing any potential misconduct among County employees.

Community Responses

The decision to terminate Miller raises eyebrows in the community, especially as they also grapple with changes in property taxes and other local governance issues. People in Asheville are left wondering how this might affect them as stakeholders in the county.

As this story develops, Miller’s future remains uncertain while the Buncombe County Board stands firm in their decision to ensure accountability and transparency in public service.