The property listing period for 2023 begins Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, and Buncombe County Property Assessment wants to make sure you have all the information you need. Buncombe property owners who have requested a listing form or filed a listing previously will be mailed listing forms in December. Questions about who should file? Please see the information below.

 Real Estate

Anyone who owns real estate must list any new additions, changes, or deletions that have been made since Jan. 1, 2022. For example, if you have had permitted work done to your home, built additions, or completed renovations to your home, those should all be updated on your property record. You can do that online at tax.buncombecounty.org or contact the Property Assessment office at (828) 250-4940.

Personal Property 

According to the North Carolina General Statutes, all property that is not defined or taxed as “real estate” or “real property” is considered to be “personal property.”  If you own personal property such as un-tagged motor vehicles, permanently tagged trailers, manufactured homes, boats and boat motors, airplanes, rental personal property or farm machinery used for income purposes, you must file a listing form annually. Download a listing form at buncombecounty.org/personallistingform.

Business Personal Property 

Business personal property is taxable whether it is owned, leased, rented, loaned, or otherwise made available to the business. All businesses are required to file a business personal property listing form annually during the listing period.

Business personal property includes:

• machinery and equipment
• furniture and fixtures
• computers
• improvements to leased property
• manufactured homes
• aircraft
• international registration plan (IRP) plated vehicles
• supplies, etc.

Download a listing form at buncombecounty.org/businesslistingform.

Rental Property

Did you know business personal property also includes all furnishings within a dwelling that is used as a long- or short-term rental? Download a Rental Listing form at buncombecounty.org/rentallistingform.

Extensions 

Listing extensions may be granted upon request and for good cause shown. The listing extension request must be filed with Property Assessment no later than Jan. 31, 2023. File an extension online at businessextensions.buncombecounty.org.

Extensions will not be granted beyond March 15, 2023. If you are a new business for 2023, and have not filed a previous listing form, please contact our office for information at (828) 250-4930.

Tax Relief 

Property tax relief may be available for Veterans, anyone 65 and older, or anyone permanently disabled under NCGS 105-277. Call (828) 250-4915 to see if you qualify or download an application at buncombecounty.org/taxrelief. The application period for tax exemptions or exclusions opens Jan. 1 and runs through June 30, 2023.

Don’t let the listing period slip by. Listing forms will be accepted January 3-31, 2023. Property Assessment is located at 155 Hilliard Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, and is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., except for holidays. Call (828) 250-4920 for more information.

Instructions and forms are always available at: buncombecounty.org/propertyassessment.

Still have questions? Contact the Property Assessment office at (828) 250-4920.

2023 Rental Listing Form Frequently Asked Questions

If you have received a letter from Buncombe County Property Assessment with a Rental Property Listing Form here’s what you need to know.

Why am I receiving this?

January is the listing period for 2023. The Buncombe County Property Assessor is contacting property owners who may have unlisted business personal property to make sure that we have the most accurate data on all Buncombe County properties. This mailing went to all property owners whose mailing address was different from the property location.

I don’t rent this property what should I do?

Please mark the form indicating primary use of the property and send it back so we can update our files.

Who files a listing and what do I list?

Any individual or business in North Carolina owning or possessing personal property used or connected with a business or other income producing property on Jan. 1, must list the property for taxation. Examples include, but are not limited to:

1. Income producing personal property
2. Household Rental Property (homes you rent to others that you the landlord furnishes)
I own rental property that I furnish. What should I do?

If you own property that is used for long- or short-term rentals, you must list the personal property you provide as part of that rental. Business personal property includes anything the renter would use, such as furniture, appliances (oven/stove, washer, dryer, refrigerator), silverware, towels, bedding, etc. The cost, date of purchase and description of the items should be entered on the list sheet.

What if I purchased the property furnished and I don’t have the year purchased or purchase price?

If the personal property was included with the purchase of the real property, please enter a description of the property and your best opinion of market value.

Why is this the first time I am receiving this form?

Our office is committed to improving the data we have on personal property assets to ensure that all accommodation providers are taxed fairly. It is the taxpayer’s responsibility to list property for taxation and our office would like to make sure property owners have all of the information needed to complete the forms correctly.

What happens next?

After the Property Assessment office receives your listing form, staff will determine the assessed value and mail that back to you. Property owners have 30 days from that mailing to appeal that value.

Extension Master Gardener^SM Volunteers of Buncombe County are happy to announce for the sixteenth year we are offering School Garden Grants to Asheville City and Buncombe County public schools, including state charter schools.

We provide a notice of the application period along with instructions to all school principals, elementary through senior high. Additional information is available on our website, buncombemastergardener.org, where you can learn more about the guidelines for receiving a grant and get online access to the 2023 School Garden Grants Application.

All applications must be completed online. Completed applications will be accepted beginning January 9, 2023, and must be submitted no later than 9 p.m. on February 3, 2023. If you have any questions, please call the Extension Office at 828-255-5522.

We are proud of our partnership with Asheville City and Buncombe County Schools. Since 2007, we have awarded 52 School Garden Grants totaling over $45,000. These grants have involved more than 16,500 students and hundreds of teachers, parents, and community volunteers.

School gardens grow more than plants. They grow imagination and creativity. They make math and science come alive, and they build community. We hope your school will join us in 2023.

Click on the link below to review the guidelines for school garden grants:
Guidelines for 2023 School Garden Grants

BEGINNER YOUTH TENNIS CLASSES START JANUARY 13TH FOR AGES 5-16

Registration is now open for the next session of youth tennis classes starting January 13th at Hendersonville Racquet Club.  Kids are put in groups based on age and ability with seven levels available.

“Our youth tennis program has something for any child who wants to play.  From beginner to high performance player, we put them into situations where they will be challenged and can succeed while having a fun time doing it.” stated HRC Junior Tennis Academy Tennis Pro Cre Still.

Age 4-7 (RED) Beginners meet Fridays 4:15-5, Saturdays 12:15-1:00pm, Sunday 3:15-4pm

Age 7-10 (ORANGE) Beginners meet Fri 5-6, Sat 1-2, Sun 4-5

Age 9-15 (GREEN) Beginners meet Fri 6-7, Sat 2-3, Sun 5-6

Age 9-15 (YELLOW) Intermediates meet Sat 2-3, Sun 5-6

HRC Youth Performance Elite (HYPE) Intermediates and Advanced ages 8-18 meet Monday through Thursday 4-7pm

· Classes for all ages and ability!  Open to the public. Call for advanced and tournament/elite class session times.  All classes taught by certified tennis professionals

Hendersonville Racquet Club is a six acre complex that includes 6 outdoor tennis courts, 3 arena tennis courts, four racquetball courts, 7 pickleball courts, an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, group fitness room and outdoor leisure area by Shaw’s Creek and pond.

The Buncombe County Health Promotions Team requests feedback from residents to help inform strategies to improve our health priorities. Over the summer, Buncombe County’s latest Community Health Assessment was released. With the help of key informant surveys, community listening sessions, and existing data, the following health conditions were selected as a focus priority for the next three years: Birth Outcomes, Mental Health and Substance Misuse, and Chronic Conditions (Heart Disease and Diabetes).

We are now requesting community input to inform strategic planning for the upcoming Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The survey results will be used to determine how and what our community can do to address and improve Buncombe County’s health priorities. Let your voice be heard by taking the One Key Question Survey! All responses are anonymous.

We need participation from residents of Buncombe County to help us create a healthier community for everyone. Your response to the One Key Question Survey is essential to make Buncombe County a better place to call home.

So here’s the One Key Question:

What is the most important thing for you and your family’s health and well-being?

CLICK HERE TO ANSWER

Once you are finished answering our survey, spend a few minutes exploring the many functions of the page. You can track responses from other locals, read about our assessment process, and learn how we use your answers to create community change. Be sure to check the page regularly to stay current on our new surveys, meeting schedules, process updates, and more.

Have you been told you’re not eligible for internet service? Review the FCC’s National Broadband Map and file a formal complaint if you believe your home is incorrectly listed as not eligible for service. Please note: all challenges must be received by Friday, Jan. 13, 2023. If you have questions, click here for assistance from the FCC.

Additional information from the FCC:

What can be challenged?

Service is considered available at a location if the provider has, or previously had, a connection in service to the location, or if the provider could initiate service through a routine installation within 10 business days of a request with no extraordinary monetary charges or delays attributable to the extension of the provider’s network. You can submit a challenge based on the following reasons:

• Provider failed to schedule a service installation within 10 business days of a request.
• Provider did not install the service at the agreed-upon time.
• Provider requested more than the standard installation fee to connect this location.
• Provider denied the request for service.
• Provider does not offer the technology reported to be available at this location.
• Provider does not offer the speeds(s) reported to be available at this location.
• Subscribed Speed Not Achievable (Your internet service is not providing the speeds you expect.) These challenges will be treated by the FCC as a consumer complaint.
• No wireless or satellite signal is available at this location.
• Provider needed to construct new equipment at this location.

How to submit an individual availably challenge

Go to the FCC’s National Broadband Map and type your address in the search bar to begin. Then, determine if you need to first submit a Location Challenge by seeing if your address is displayed on the map at all, is incorrectly shown as a business, has the incorrect address or unit count, or has incorrect geographic coordinates. If so, click “Location Challenge” (upper right) to complete the form. Then, proceed the following steps for the Availability Challenge.

• Select the Fixed Broadband tab and then click the Availability Challenge link (mid-right).
• In the window that opens, click “Select” next to the provider whose service you want to challenge.
• Select either (1) “Send my challenge to the selected provider,” which will initiate a challenge against the provider, or (2) “I’m giving feedback about the information above but not submitting a challenge.”
• Enter your contact information – your name and email are required – and your phone number is optional.
• Select the reason code for your challenge. The remaining fields will update based on the type of challenge you select.
• Enter a description and upload any supporting documents or screenshots.
• Check the certification box.
• Click “Submit.”

If you have questions, click here for FCC assistance.

If you’re behind on your water bill or afraid your water might get cut off, a new resource might be able to help you. On Jan. 4, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved more than $450,000 in federal funding for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). The initiative is aimed at preventing water disconnections and helping reconnect drinking and wastewater services.

The LIHWAP will be administered by Buncombe County-based Eblen Charities. The nonprofit will make payments directly to utilities on behalf of qualifying households. The program is slated to run through Sept. 30, 2023 or until funds are exhausted.

Eligibility requirements

Households that currently receive Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Work First services, or those that received Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) services from Oct. 1, 2020-Sept. 30, 2021, are automatically eligible to receive this benefit if their water services have been cut off or are in danger of being cut off.

For additional eligibility information or to apply, please contact Eblen Charities at (828) 255-3066.

The Magnetic Theatre announces its 2023 Mainstage Season of new plays with tickets on sale beginning January 1st, and begins scheduling auditions and interviews for actors and technicians.

The Magnetic Theatre’s Mainstage Season begins with HappyLand, a new rock opera by Brayden Dickerson and Zach Knox of Smooth Goose.  The musical tells the tale of a delivery person who doesn’t quite fit into the titular town of HappyLand. Forced to make one last delivery before the vacation they have been dreaming of, our hero embarks on an epic journey to SadLand, falls in love, and maybe even saves the world.  Full of toe-tappin’ tunes and fantastic adventure, HappyLand launches February 10th and runs through February 25th.

Beginning April 14th and running through April 29th, join us for the regional premiere of Fish, by Cyndi Williams.  When two characters connect unexpectedly in a lonely bar, they wind up playing a dangerous game. Who will survive, and how can they forgive themselves in the process?  Shifting timelines and unearthing skeletons, Fish is a fever dream twisting through memory, fantasy, and the present.

Next up, June 2nd through 17th, take your seats and pay attention to Da Classroom Ain’t Enuf, by Charles Payne.  This choreopoem, inspired by the work of Ntozake Shange, is an exploration of the intersection of Black and Brown communities, particularly in and around the American educational system. The play features an ensemble of four actors who play teachers, students, and their families and is a mix of poetry, prose, and music, with original tracks by composer Richard Jones.

Then, August 4th through 13th, The Magnetic Theatre’s One Act Play Festival returns for its fourth year of short plays.  Featuring a variety of stories, emerging and seasoned playwrights, local directors, and incredible performers, there’s sure to be something for everyone!  Playwrights may submit one act scripts for consideration throughout the month of February.

Ushering in the spooky season, October 6th through 21st brings The Splatter Play by Abby Auman.  It’s the day of the open house for Tina’s childhood home, which also happens to be her deceased mother’s evil laboratory. Determined to turn the terrors of the lab into selling points, Tina and her optimistic realtor parade a cast of unsavory potential buyers through the home, tormented all the while by the resident creepies and crawlies who aren’t quite as ready to move on as Tina would hope. *Note: there will be blood, so much blood.

Finally, as 2023 comes to a close, The Magnetic Theatre proudly presents New Queer’s Eve. December 1st through 16th, join us for a look at the year’s last holiday through a new lens. New Queer’s Eve takes place in one location over multiple New Year’s Eve celebrations and provides a glimpse into the LGBTQIA+ experience through time. Through interconnected stories told by a collaboration of queer writers, New Queer’s Eve invites audiences to share in the joys and struggles of queer life through the decades.