ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Buncombe County commissioners approved new school funding, expanded park land and recognized the region’s manufacturing sector during their Sept. 16 meeting.

The meeting opened with a short film marking one year since Tropical Storm Helene, highlighting recovery efforts by first responders, local organizations and community members. The video will air on BCTV at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily through October.

Schedule of Values

Commissioners approved the Schedule of Values to guide the county’s property appraisers during the 2026 reappraisal. State law requires counties to reappraise real property at least every eight years, though Buncombe typically does so every four. The board delayed the process by one year after Helene, setting the next reappraisal for Jan. 1, 2026, with another scheduled in 2029.

School funding

Commissioners also amended the budget to redirect Article 39 sales tax revenue from capital projects to school operations. The change, made possible by a new law passed with support from the General Assembly, will provide $4,092,419 for Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools.

Park expansion

The board approved acceptance of a $4.47 million Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership grant to help purchase and preserve the 343-acre Deaverview Mountain property. The county partnered with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy in 2023 on the $8.95 million project and plans to begin master planning for the new park in early 2026.

Manufacturing month

Commissioners declared October as National Manufacturing Month, noting that the sector employs more than 12,700 people in Buncombe County and generated $850 million in wages last year. Manufacturing jobs in the county have grown by 15 percent over the past decade.

Other actions

Commissioners approved rezoning of two parcels totaling less than half an acre for Art Space Charter School, changing the designation from residential to neighborhood services.

The board accepted more than $840,000 in federal and state grants for Mountain Mobility, the county’s transportation partner. With a $115,454 local match, the funds will support administrative needs and the purchase of four new vans.

Recordings of the meeting are available here.