QUESTIONABLE
The County’s property-tax dilemma makes the case for an anti-displacement analysis framework (new)
Last week, new state legislation forced Buncombe County Commissioners to choose between reverting to older, less equitable property values to maintain their adopted budget, and using the updated values and absorbing a $24.8 million revenue loss. Commissioners chose to maintain the budget. The meeting showed that County leaders understood the potential harms of both options, but lacked a systematic way of comparing who would bear those harms and what could be done to reduce them. This is precisely the kind of unexpected, consequential decision that demonstrates the need for an anti-displacement analysis framework.
REPORT BACKS
Buncombe County is confronting a decision that offers no painless outcome
On July 14, Buncombe County Commissioners unanimously chose to use the 2021 property values and set the County tax rate at 61.54 cents per $100 of assessed value, preserving the FY27 budget rather than reducing County revenue by approximately $24.8 million. Commissioners cited the importance of maintaining education funding, public safety, human services, and other essential County functions. The County presented concrete examples of how reverting to the older values would affect homeowners, but no equivalent analysis showing which residents and communities would be most affected by $24.8 million in budget reductions.
Buncombe County Has the Opportunity to Lead on Displacement Prevention
Three weeks ago, GAPavl published a special report recommending that Buncombe County build on its existing plans and programs by developing an anti-displacement analysis framework. The County’s July 14 property-tax decision now provides a clear example of why that additional tool is needed. County leaders understood that either option could harm residents, but lacked a consistent method for comparing those harms, identifying who faced the greatest risk, and evaluating possible protections. We are again inviting Commissioners to review and respond to our proposal.