News

What to watch at tonight’s Asheville City Council meeting

What to watch at tonight’s Asheville City Council meeting

Photo: Saga Communications/828newsNOW


ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville City Council faces a relatively light agenda Tuesday evening, but the meeting will include two major public hearings that could shape city spending and housing investments for the coming year.

Council members are expected to hear public comment on the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 operating budget and review plans for federal housing and community development funding, while also considering several infrastructure and service-related items on the consent agenda.

The meeting begins with routine business, including approval of minutes from recent council sessions and a proposed adjustment to the council’s meeting schedule. Under the change, Policy, Finance and Infrastructure work sessions would move to the fourth Tuesday of every other month beginning in July.

Among the largest items on the consent agenda is a resolution authorizing city officials to pursue up to $40 million in debt financing for a range of general government capital projects. The financing package would use an installment financing structure and interim limited obligation bonds to help fund future construction projects across the city.

Council is also expected to consider increasing funding for Asheville’s litter and cleanliness program. The proposal would allow the city to expand contracts for litter collection and biohazardous debris cleanup while extending renewal periods with existing contractors.

Another consent agenda item would authorize an amendment to the city’s agreement with Carolina Caterpillar to provide supplemental heavy truck repair and maintenance services for the city fleet for up to three additional years if optional renewals are exercised.

Before public hearings begin, City Manager DK Wesley is scheduled to deliver a third-quarter update on the city’s capital improvement program, providing council and residents with a progress report on major infrastructure and construction projects underway across Asheville.

The evening’s first public hearing focuses on the city’s proposed fiscal year 2026-27 operating budget. Residents will have an opportunity to weigh in on spending priorities before council moves toward budget adoption later this year.

Council will also hold a public hearing on Asheville’s 2026-27 Annual Action Plan, which outlines how the city intends to use federal Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships Program funding. The plan guides investments in affordable housing, neighborhood improvements and programs serving low- and moderate-income residents.

Public hearing rules allow applicants up to 10 minutes for presentations, individual speakers up to three minutes and representatives of groups of four or more people up to 10 minutes. Public comment on any single hearing is capped at one hour.

No unfinished business is listed on the agenda, and only limited new business is scheduled before council moves into informal discussion and general public comment.

The meeting will be 5 p.m. at Asheville City Hall and is open to the public.

Recent Headlines

3 hours ago in Arts & Culture, Community, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Local, Outdoors, Perspectives

Montford Park Players: Iago, Desdemona, Emilia shine in uneven ‘Othello’

“Othello,” one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, is now being performed by the Montford Park Players. Read our review for more.

13 hours ago in Entertainment, Music, Trending

Taylor Swift becomes the youngest woman inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame at age 36

Taylor Swift became the youngest woman ever inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame Thursday night at age 36. "It was instinctual. No one taught me how to do it," she said of songwriting through a raspy voice she attributed to screaming along to the night's performances and Wednesday night's historic NBA game between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.

2 days ago in Entertainment

‘Doctor Who’ future uncertain as BBC scraps Christmas special and showrunner exits

The galaxy-hopping hero of "Doctor Who" has survived many narrow escapes and reinventions over more than six decades. But is time finally up for the BBC science fiction series that has entertained generations of fans?

2 days ago in Entertainment, Local, Native Advertising

Things to do in Asheville and WNC: June 12-14

Festivals, concerts, stage productions, outdoor races and community events fill the June 12-14 weekend across Asheville, Black Mountain, Weaverville, Lake Lure and other WNC towns.

3 days ago in Entertainment

Rob Reiner’s son Nick seeks money from trust parents left him for his defense in their killings

Rob Reiner's son Nick Reiner is seeking unpaid money from a trust his parents established for him, saying he needs it to help in his defense against charges that he killed them.