ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Residents urged city leaders Tuesday night to rethink priorities and protect essential services as Asheville officials outlined a projected $30 million budget shortfall for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
The comments came during the first public hearing in the city’s annual budget process, where staff warned that recurring expenses are outpacing recurring revenues and that a mix of spending cuts and revenue increases — including possible property tax hikes — will be needed to balance the budget.
City budget officials said roughly half of Asheville’s general fund revenue comes from property taxes and about 23 percent from sales taxes. On the spending side, about 64 percent of the budget goes toward personnel costs, including salaries, overtime and benefits…