Government and Public Safety

City Government

The city of Asheville is governed by the Asheville City Council, which consists of a mayor and six council members chosen in non-partisan elections. Policies, ordinances, and tax rates are set by the city council, as well as the overseeing of the day-to-day municipal operations of Asheville. Each month on the second and forth Tuesday at 5:00 pm formal city council meetings are held in the city council chamber on the second floor of City Hall. Each month on the first and third Tuesday at 3:00 pm work sessions are held on the first floor north conference room of the City Hall, and are open to the public.

County Government

Partisan elections are held every four years to elect the five members of the Buncombe County Board of County Commissioners. County Commissioners set property tax rates, determine budgets, and set policy. The county manager develops programs and is responsible for personnel management, as well as being in charge for preparing the annual budget for the County Commissioners. Each month on the first and third Tuesday at 4:00 pm board meetings are held on the second floor of the Buncombe County courthouse in room 204. Meeting minutes can be viewed by the public on the counties website at www.buncombecounty.org or viewed in suite 105 at One Oak Plaza.

Public Safety/Emergency Numbers