Buncombe just became the sixth county in the state to receive a AAA S&P bond rating. While you will likely surmise this is reflective of strange financial policies designed to plow wealth under while incentivizing dependencies, S&P defended its rating stating:

Management has consistently produced general fund surpluses and maintained strong reserves about policy targets. Buncombe’s financial management practices are strong, well-embedded, and likely sustainable.

Among those sustainable, sound fiscal practices is the denial of funding to outside agencies Asheville is inclined to support – like Asheville’s proposed Business Improvement District.