ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Buncombe County commissioners are set to make two major decisions Tuesday that could shape the county’s emergency response capabilities and its financial future for the coming year.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will consider adopting its $484.4 million fiscal year 2027 budget and vote on a proposal to purchase the former JCPenney property at Asheville Mall for use as an emergency operations center.
The acquisition of 7 S. Tunnel Road has emerged as one of the county’s most significant post-Helene recovery initiatives.
County officials say the former department store would provide a permanent home for emergency management operations after Tropical Storm Helene exposed vulnerabilities in the county’s emergency response infrastructure. During the storm, the county’s emergency operations center was forced to relocate multiple times while coordinating disaster response efforts, officials said.
Under the proposal, Buncombe County would purchase the 130,500-square-foot building and its approximately 6.24-acre site for $5 million. The property is under contract, with the due diligence period already completed and a closing date scheduled for June 8.
County leaders envision the site eventually housing emergency management operations, a dedicated emergency operations center, public safety communications and potentially other county functions.
Officials say the property offers several advantages, including existing utility infrastructure, parking facilities and easy access to Interstates 240, 40 and 26.
The acquisition would be funded through existing capital improvement program funds and would not require new funding for the purchase. However, significant additional investment would be needed before the facility could open.
County estimates place construction and renovation costs at roughly $30 million, although officials note those figures are preliminary and subject to change as design and engineering work progresses. Occupancy is tentatively targeted for 2028.
County staff argues the project could save money in the long run compared with building new public safety facilities. Estimates presented to commissioners suggest constructing separate facilities for emergency operations, public safety communications and storage functions could cost well more than $100 million.
The board will also hold a public hearing before voting on the county’s fiscal year 2027 budget.
The proposed spending plan totals $484.4 million and includes funding for 28 new positions, down from the 32 positions initially recommended.
Commissioners are considering a property tax rate of 43.20 cents per $100 of assessed value. The proposed rate is 3.98 cents above the county’s revenue-neutral rate but lower than the 43.52-cent rate initially recommended by county staff.
Budget adjustments made since the manager’s recommendation reduced the proposed tax increase by lowering projected property tax revenue, increasing collection estimates and using additional fund balance for one-time technology expenses.
The budget proposal includes approximately $2.6 million in appropriated fund balance.
In addition to the budget and property purchase, commissioners will consider a general obligation bond referendum, reallocation of COVID recovery funds, several budget amendments and receive the annual report from the Buncombe County Child Fatality Review Team.
The board meeting begins at 5 p.m. Tuesday in Room 326 of the county administration building at 200 College St. Public comment will be taken at the beginning of the meeting.
