The Asheville City Council addressed several key issues related to the city’s budget, disaster recovery, and affordable housing during its meeting on March 10. Council members discussed fee adjustments for the upcoming fiscal year and approved multiple funding measures aimed at supporting local infrastructure and community needs.
These actions are part of ongoing efforts by the council to maintain transparency and accountability in municipal decision-making. The meeting included a Budget Worksession focused on fees and charges for Fiscal Year 27. Finance and Management Services Director Tony McDowell said, “While we are proposing some fee increases this year, we are prioritizing our community’s needs first to ensure our rates remain fair following the impacts of TS Helene and property revaluation.”
Among the items approved was a $2,487,500 budget amendment from the Office of State Budget and Management’s Helene Local Government Capital Grant Program for the Azalea Park Recovery Project. Additionally, $10 million was allocated from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for water resilience improvements. The council also authorized an application for funding from the North Carolina Department of Commerce Small Business Infrastructure Grant to extend a sewer line in Enka Commerce Park.
Recovery Coordinator Bridget Herring said, “We appreciate that the state of North Carolina recognizes gaps in some federal funding and has provided these opportunities for local communities such as Asheville to recover faster and stronger.”
The council approved an amendment to its 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan to add affordable rental construction as a priority need. Nikki Reid, Community and Economic Development Director, said, “Our hope is that adding the construction of affordable rental units as a priority of the Consolidated Plan will help meet some of our region’s current housing needs in the near future.”
Asheville’s City Hall at 70 Court Plaza serves as the central administrative hub for municipal operations, according to the official website (https://www.ashevillenc.gov/). The city operates under a council-manager government structure with elected officials setting policy while a city manager oversees daily operations. Asheville coordinates among departments such as Public Works, Water Resources, and Planning to manage services and foster community engagement through initiatives like City Plans for sustainable growth and equitable development. Municipal services are delivered within city limits under this governance model.
