ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Last night, Asheville City Council voted in a 4-3 decision in favor of adopting a $275.8 million budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, applicable from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. The new budget marks around $1.7 million in increased costs from the 2025-26 budget.
The decision was split between four in favor, including Mayor Esther Manheimer and council members Bo Hess, Sheneika Smith and Maggie Ullman, and three against, including Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley and council members Kim Roney and Sage Turner.
“The vote is four to three. We have a budget,” Manheimer declared.
In the budget document, which will be decorated with artwork by Asheville Parks and Recreation after-school students, the city approved several new measures, including a property tax rate of 37.69 cents per $100 valuation, which is 4.80 cents above revenue neutral.
According to a city press release, a potential gap between revenue and costs was identified early on in the budget determination process. The property tax change was made “in order to balance the budget in the face of rising costs,” the city explained.
The budget adoption follows a public hearing on the proposed budget held on May 26, 2026. According to a city staff report, several adjustments to the budget were made after the public hearing, including a decrease of $379,656 in Asheville Police Department personnel costs.
“City Council and leadership appreciate the time and effort our community and staff took to identify opportunities to strategically invest in Asheville’s future,” said Manheimer in the release. “By delivering a balanced and sustainable budget, we are fostering a strong economy and positioning our city to confidently move forward, ensuring we meet community needs with a robust and resilient financial future.”
In the release, the city shared several “key quality of life” areas addressed in the budget, including an increase in hourly pay for the Asheville Fire Department, year-round APR programming including summer camps and a staff member dedicated solely to affordable housing projects.
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