Asheville – On August 24th, the Leadership Asheville Forum held one of their most popular programs: “The State of the City and County.” This was held at the Asheville Country Club over the lunch hour, but there were viewers watching with via Zoom as well. City Mayor Esther Manheimer and County Board Chair Brownie Newman spoke on the subject, updating everyone with a lot of information. They had a lot of ground to cover; both the city and county are facing many challenges in the coming year and have had to deal with a number of problems in 2021 and 2022. Charts and graphs were shown to illustrate their points, but both could only touch on major issues.
Nancy Waldrop, the LAF President, opened the meeting with a few organizational points, mentioning that LAF will be holding a Climate Change Evening Forum on October 12 from 5:30-7:30PM at the UNC-Asheville Reuter Center. She also presented a plaque of appreciation to Myra Ramsey, who has been a Leadership Asheville Forum board member for 30 years, from July 1992 to July 2022. Ramsey expressed her sadness to be stepping down after so many wonderful years of involvement in every aspect of the Leadership Asheville Forum. Then, LAF board member Joe McGuire, after mentioning that a number of the City and County staff were in the audience as well, introduced the speakers.
Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer began by mentioning that the city’s budget began on July 1. Property tax is the greatest contributor to the budget (at 37.4%), with a total budget for the year 2022-2023 being $217,585,581. She spoke about the need to expand and improve core services within the city. This is of the utmost importance. The city is buying new buses with $4.2 million allocated for that purpose; extensive sidewalk projects are being completed throughout the city: Airport Road, New Haw Creek Road, and Johnston Boulevard. Water meters are being improved with a new advanced infrastructure. Public parks are being improved, including enhanced maintenance and major improvements at places like Walton Street Park and Wesley Grant Center. Amazing plans are underway for Memorial Stadium and Mountainside Park. A 6-lane competitive track is being laid with a rubber track surfacing. The existing restrooms and storage room facilities are being replaced, as are bleachers. These are a few of the plans.
Manheimer then turned to housing and the enormous problems the city faces with homelessness and the lack of affordable housing. Ongoing investments are for equitable, affordable, and stable housing, using bonds, trust funds, grants, and development fee rebates to improve the current situation. The city is seeking to address the “houselessness” issues. There has been a 21% increase in homelessness since 2021. There were 405 sheltered and 232 unsheltered people in this area. The city itself does not offer services but works to coordinate those that are available.
The City of Asheville has had some major difficulties, and the Police Department is definitely currently short-staffed. Public safety is of paramount importance to all. The Police Chief has been offering suggestions for attracting new applicants. The City Council in this year’s budget approved an increase over estimated police spending in fiscal year 2021–2022. In addition, measures to take minor infractions off of a policeman’s list of responsibilities have been one solution. Let’s say a “noise ordnance, a problematic animal, or even a car’s tailgate violation” should not be something a policeman must deal with. They are too minor. These should and will be handled by other departments. The police need to deal with more serious issues. Manheimer then strongly suggested that everyone watch livestream meetings and stay in the know by going to www.ashevillenc.gov.
County Board Chair Brownie Newman then spoke, showing graphs of the budget process and revenue sources. Property taxes and sales are the largest revenue sources in the $382 million budget. He spoke about the need for a strong community. The county is providing pay increases, particularly for those on the lower end of the scale. One of the largest areas that is being funded by the county is broadband service, which is badly needed in some county areas, as became evident during COVID. He spoke about the bonds and funds that will be on the ballot this fall and their importance. He talked about the need for transparency and oversight on bond investments. By state statue, bond funds can only be invested in the purposes specifically stated on the ballot language. A county commissioner resolution calls for creation of a website that details how all funds are invested in real time.
He mentioned that rents in this area had increased 20% from last year, an astounding amount. Will people be able to work and live here as well? What can be done to improve this situation? What will it be like in 2030? So many people are spending a huge percentage (40-50%) of their income just on their living quarters. There is next to nothing left as spendable income.
This was followed by questions from the audience to the appropriate person. The questions ranged widely. There were questions concerning property appraisals; energy efficiency, i.e. solar; plans; the new paramedic’s 911 system; the Thomas Wolfe Renovation and the Duke Power substation nearby; a possible ban on single-use plastic (grocery bags); and the possibility of a moratorium on hotels. The appropriate speaker answered, or tried to answer, these probing questions.
Both Esther Manheimer and Brownie Newman suggested that the audience go to appropriate websites to glean more in-depth information. One can watch livestream meetings through the City of Asheville Public Engagement Hub at https://publicinput.com/hub88 or the City YouTube Channel at youtube.com/cityofasheville.