Buncombe County Open Space Bonds Referendum

What it does

Additional property taxes may be levied on property located in the County of Buncombe in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on bonds if approved by the following ballot question. SHALL the order authorizing $30 million of bonds plus interest to provide funds to fund the acquisition and improvement of land or interests therein for conservation purposes, including the protection of natural resources and preservation of farms and scenic landscapes, and the development of parks, greenways, trails, and other outdoor recreational opportunities, and providing that additional taxes may be levied in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds be approved, in light of the following: (1) The estimated cumulative cost over the life of the bonds, using the highest interest rate charged for similar debt over the last 20 years, would be $47,615,115 (consisting of $30 million principal amount of the bonds plus $17,615,115 of interest). (2) The estimated amount of property tax liability increase for each one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) of property tax value to service the cumulative cost over the life of the bond provided above would be $4.10 per year.

A YES vote means

Buncombe County could borrow $30 million by issuing bonds for buying and improving land for conservation, including protecting natural resources, farms and scenic landscapes, and developing parks, greenways and trails, repaid with property taxes; the estimated total cost with interest is $47,615,115, and the estimated property tax increase is $4.10 a year per $100,000 of value.

A NO vote means

Buncombe County would not be authorized to issue these $30 million in bonds or levy taxes to repay them.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Also on Buncombe County ballots

• Buncombe County Housing Bonds Referendum

All Buncombe County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Buncombe County Open Space Bonds Referendum mean?

Buncombe County could borrow $30 million by issuing bonds for buying and improving land for conservation, including protecting natural resources, farms and scenic landscapes, and developing parks, greenways and trails, repaid with property taxes; the estimated total cost with interest is $47,615,115, and the estimated property tax increase is $4.10 a year per $100,000 of value.

What does a NO vote on Buncombe County Open Space Bonds Referendum mean?

Buncombe County would not be authorized to issue these $30 million in bonds or levy taxes to repay them.

How many votes does Buncombe County Open Space Bonds Referendum need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on Buncombe County Open Space Bonds Referendum?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early voting and mail-ballot deadlines vary by state; check your state or county election office.