Plus, embark on an arts scavenger hunt.
 
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75º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:16 a.m. | Sunset 8:39 p.m.
 

💵 Show me the money
A skyline view of Asheville with a pink hue
The new fiscal year is coming up quick. | Photo by @andre.daugherty.photo
Last week, Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder presented the recommended fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. Before the board makes its final budget vote on Tuesday, June 18, there will be a public hearing on Tuesday, June 4.

Since (1) public means you and (2) we love a good deep dive into civic reports, let’s take a look at where those recommended funds are going.

Note: The 2025 fiscal year begins on Monday, July 1 and runs through Monday, June 30, 2025.

A few quick facts to get us started:
  • The recommended budget across all annual funds is $628 million, and the General Fund is $441.9 million.
  • The total budget is broken into different types of funds, like transportation or insurance, because some activities have to be separated due to regulations (the General Fund covers most county activities).
  • The budget recommends a 52.35-cent property tax rate — an increase of 2.55 cents from the current rate, with 1.8 cents for county operations and .75 cents for public schools.
  • The cost of living adjustment for county employees is 4.89%.
The $441.9 million in expenditures is divided into eight functions, with education, human services, and public safety allotted the largest percentages.

Buncombe County FY25 budget broken down by function

Education takes the top budget spot.

|

Chart via Buncombe County

Here are just a few of the investments on the proposed books:

Education ($126.2 million)
  • $98.9 million for Buncombe County Schools and $18.3 million for Asheville City Schools
  • $3.9 million for early childhood education programs
  • $4.1 million for solar on public buildings + schools
  • Proposed budgeting is increased $4 million from FY 2024.
Human services ($96.7 million)
  • One new position to assist with managing Medicaid expansion
  • $3.3 million in behavioral health investments through opioid settlement funding
  • Proposed budgeting is increased $400,000 from FY 2024.
And that’s not all...
$219 million more to invest
Asked

Which function do you think should have the largest percentage of the budget?
A. Education (e.g. public schools, early childhood programs)
B. Human Services (e.g. social services, public health)
C. Public Safety (e.g. emergency services, sheriff’s office)
D. Cultural and Recreation (e.g. libraries, parks)
Money talks
 
Events
Thursday, May 30
  • Regional Artists Gallery | Thursday, May 30-Wednesday, June 12 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State St., Black Mountain | Free | Get a peek at the art pieces that will become the inspiration for the floral arrangements at the 18th Annual Art in Bloom.
  • Wings and Strings | Thursday, May 30 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack, 3749 Sweeten Creek Rd., Arden | Free | Chow down on hot wings and Southern soul food while listening to the musical stylings of Possum Royale.
Friday, May 31
  • Spring Beer Dinner | Friday, May 31 | 6-9 p.m. | Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River | $100 | Enjoy beer pairings and a five-course vegan menu that showcases fish-free seafood.
  • No Love Asheville | Friday, May 31 | 7-11 p.m. | Sly Grog Lounge, 271 Haywood St., Asheville | $12-$15 | All styles of art will come together for the local expansion of this Durham-based concert series and open mic night.
  • “Richard II” | Friday, May 31-Sunday, June 23 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 92 Gay St., Asheville | Free | Take a seat at the outdoor stage for the opening weekend of this Shakespeare classic depicting the fall of the king and the rise of Henry Bolingbroke.
Saturday, June 1
  • Flying Squirrel Ten Miler | Saturday, June 1 | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | North Asheville, Orange St., Asheville | $65-$70 | Race your way along shaded mountain roads and scale the hills to earn those views.
  • Bag O’ Books Sale | Saturday, June 1 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Rd., Asheville | $5 | Buy a bag for $5 and fill it with as many books as it can hold.
  • Nerd Pride Fest | Saturday, June 1 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | The Nerd Dungeon, 505 New Leicester Hwy., Asheville | Free | Honor Pride Month with art, plants, board games, food, and live music — donations go to Tranzmission and Youth OUTright.
Sunday, June 2
  • Asheville Springfest | Sunday, June 2 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza, Asheville | $0-$35 | Gather in the heart of downtown for shopping, music, vegan food, contests, and family fun.
  • Family Adventure Fest | Sunday, June 2 | 1-4 p.m. | Adventure Center of Asheville, 85 Expo Dr., Asheville | $10-$25 | Support autism services in WNC while the whole family mountain bikes and rock climbs, listens to music, and learns about animal conservation.
Working for the weekend
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News Notes
Community
  • The Asheville City Council authorized $180,000 to fund a community facilitation, engagement, and project support contract for Boosting the Block. The project, one of three funded by a Mellon Foundation grant, will enhance the historical Black business district between downtown and the East End Valley Street neighborhood.
Civic
  • At the Tuesday, May 28 meeting, the Asheville City Council began the legal process for putting a GO bond referendum on the ballot in November. The $80 million bond package would fund city projects like facilities and public transportation. A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, July 23. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Cause
  • Get cereal-ously egg-cited because Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is bacon a difference at Blueprint Breakfast for Dinner (okay, we’re done). On Thursday, June 6, seven local chefs will whip up breakfast-inspired dishes for an evening of live music, wine tasting, a raffle, and more. Tickets help build an affordable green home.
History
  • The Historic Resources Commission recently presented two Historic Resources Champion awards. Priscilla Robinson was honored for her documentation of urban renewal in the Southside neighborhood, and Harry Blomberg + family were recognized for preserving Biltmore Industries. The rest is history.
Civic
Kids
  • This Saturday, June 1, LaZoom Comedy Bus Tours is launching a new tour just for the little ones. Lil Boogers: Kids Comedy Tour will run throughout the summer with laugh-a-minute entertainment and interesting history geared toward ages 5-12.
Edu
  • To combat a lack of funding for afterschool clubs + programs, the Black Mountain Schools Parent-Teacher Organization and Pisgah Brewing are partnering to host Vibes for the Valley. On Saturday, June 8, the benefit concert will support clubs in everything from math and science to gardening and music. Get your tickets.
Award
  • It’s all gone according to plan. Buncombe County’s 2043 Comprehensive Plan received the Vernon Dienes Special Project Plan Award from the American Planning Association’s Small Towns and Rural Division. The award, which recognizes outstanding development plans, is the highest in the large jurisdiction category.
Learn
  • Explore an array of all-electric, clean energy solutions during ElectriFair, Asheville’s first home electrification expo happening on Saturday, June 8 at the A-B Tech Mission Conference Center. The free event by Electrify Asheville-Buncombe will feature live panel sessions, local contractors, a solar-powered tiny home, giveaways, and more.*
Try This
  • Eggs, bacon + toast trivia. Well Played Board Game Cafe hosts Asheville’s only Trivia Brunch, Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Enjoy a full breakfast menu while competing with your pals at this laid-back weekly trivia experience.*
Biz
  • Looking for a way to stay on top of the world’s latest business news? Meet The Daily Upside, a free, no-BS newsletter from Wall Street insiders delivering actionable insights on the latest market news. Skip the clickbait and stay informed alongside 1,000,000+ fellow readers. Try it for free.*
 
Arts

🎨 Have a good eye?

On the hunt for local art
AVLtoday_amanda_mclenon
Start your search for free fine art. | Photo via Amanda McLenon
When the proverbial “they” says that art should challenge you, they probably mean philosophically, intellectually, or spiritually — but local artist Amanda McLenon has a more whimsical interpretation for her latest endeavor. Starting this Saturday, June 1, and continuing throughout the week, McLenon will host an art scavenger hunt throughout the Asheville area.

Each day, she’ll share a riddle on social media — which will lead you to a different local business. The business will have a free piece of McLenon’s art for you to compete to find, from small original studies to framed reproductions. Bonus: You’ll get to start your collection before her new series arrives this summer.

“This event is a bridge,” said McLenon in a press release. “It was designed to be a fun, playful event that engages the community with art, connects like-minded small local businesses, and introduces folks to my artwork.”

Keep an eye out for the riddles on Instagram and Facebook.
The Buy

The Buy 5.30.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
A bristle-free grill brush — so you can clean your grill until it’s like new without bristles shedding onto your cooking surface.
 
The Wrap
 
Molly Wilson.jpeg

Today’s edition by:
Molly
From the editor
They say good things come in threes: carrots, celery, and onions; gin, vermouth, and Campari; Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams. And now — martinis, truffle fries, and jazz. Tonight, May 30, the inaugural Cellar Trio will combine those three ingredients into an evening of music and dining. Head down to Isa’s Bistro Cellar for live performances and specials from 6 to 9 p.m.
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