Representative Tim Moffitt (R-Buncombe) has proposed House Bill 471 that would divide the county into seven districts and expand the membership of the Board of Commissioners from five to seven. Each district would elect its own representative.
The idea is currently popular among Republicans, who are not satisfied with the Asheville Democrat bloc that is currently seated. The disadvantage of district elections is it puts commissioners in a position of representing interests or even bringing home the bacon for their district, rather than using discretion to do what is best to protect the rights of all.