ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — City leaders in Asheville are preparing for difficult budget decisions as finance staff projects a roughly $30 million gap in the city’s General Fund for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2026.
The early estimate was presented during a January budget work session and reflects the difference between projected revenues and projected expenses for fiscal year 2027. City officials stress the figure is preliminary, but acknowledge closing the gap will likely require a combination of tax or fee increases and spending reductions, which could translate into service impacts.
Finance staff said the projected shortfall is driven largely by one-time fixes used to balance the current budget that cannot be repeated next year, along with rising costs for employee health care, debt service tied to voter-approved bonds, transit contracts, public safety staffing and community center security…