September 1, 2015
Members of the NC General Assembly:
As Buncombe County Commissioners, we are concerned about the proposal to
change the distribution of sales tax revenues. The change in formula will have a huge
negative impact on our budgeted revenue. Our only option to increase revenues will be
through the increase in local option sales taxes through referendum. If the electorate
doesn’t support the tax increase, our options will be to cut services or raise property
taxes to pay for infrastructure investments already made, threatening our continued
economic growth.
Another concern with the change in formula is the negative impact it would have
on our bond rating—making it more difficult to meet certain rating criteria. We have
worked for many years to achieve our AAA bond rating and urge you to help us protect
it. Buncombe is a very expensive place to live and the negative impact of this change in
formula would hurt our ability to attract higher paying jobs through continued economic
development. This forced increase in property taxes to compensate for the shifting sales
taxes would hurt the job market for us and our region.
Many individuals commute into high growth regions for jobs while having the
option to live in a more rural setting. We believe offering current and future citizens
choices about where to live and work is best for the State. We believe investing in
infrastructure that allows for regional economies rather than county-oriented economies
is best for the state.
We urge you to reconsider the ramifications of proposals to redistribute sales tax
revenues and ask that you oppose the proposal to redistribute sales tax revenues
outlined in the Senate’s budget proposal.

Sincerely,

David Gantt
Chairman