ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Buncombe County officials are exploring the creation of a single fire district tax rate for unincorporated areas in an effort to provide consistent fire protection services and establish a more equitable and sustainable funding model.
The county does not operate its own countywide fire department. Instead, it contracts with independent fire service districts and departments, which are governed by their own boards, to provide protection in unincorporated areas. Each district proposes its own funding needs, and the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners reviews and approves those rates annually as part of the county budget process.
Under the current system, the county collects and distributes fire district tax revenue and oversees how funds are used, while local departments handle day-to-day emergency response and operations…