First Tuesday Conservatives - Asheville

06/01/2026

Buncombe County taxpayers showed up and asked commissioners to slow down, cut discretionary spending, and avoid a property tax increase.

The public hearing version of the budget did not appear to solve the gap by making meaningful spending reductions. It solved the gap by recommending a higher property tax rate.

Autumn is coming — and voters will have choices to make.

Read the full article at FirstTuesdayAsheville.com
Look for: “Autumn Is Coming”

05/31/2026

05/31/2026

Buncombe County is preparing to spend millions more on affordable housing.

But before commissioners commit more taxpayer money, residents deserve a clearer accounting of what happened to money already loaned, granted, advanced, or recycled through prior housing programs.

A grant is not a loan. A loan is not a subsidy. A repayment is not new revenue. And an outstanding receivable is not money available to spend.

Taxpayers deserve to know what was loaned, what was repaid, what remains outstanding, and whether any repayment terms were deferred, modified, forgiven, written off, or otherwise adjusted.

Read the article:
https://firsttuesdayasheville.com/posts/f/housing-loan-records

05/18/2026

Buncombe County’s FY27 budget materials propose more than $17 million for affordable housing recommendations.

Taxpayers deserve clear answers:

How many new units will be created?
How many existing units will be preserved?
How much money is being loaned?
How much is being granted?
How much will be repaid?
How will success be measured?

“Affordable housing” should not become a magic phrase that shields millions of taxpayer dollars from scrutiny.

Read more at FirstTuesdayAsheville.com.

05/18/2026

The FY27 budget is not just a government document.

It is a plan for spending your money.

Before Buncombe County commissioners adopt it, taxpayers should ask hard but fair questions about grants, housing, education funding, debt, fire taxes, and possible tax pressure.

The May 19 public hearing matters.

Read the latest at FirstTuesdayAsheville.com.