While Asheville city leaders brace for service cuts, Buncombe County is considering a $504 million budget for fiscal year 2026-27 that would significantly expand the local government's work. The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners reviewed the "first pass" budget during a March 24 work session, BPR News reported. The $504 million in general fund spending represents a more than 15 percent increase over the current fiscal year's $438 million budget. County Manager Avril Pinder called the propos