Drew Ball

In one word, what is the top issue that is motivating you to run for Asheville City Council?

Recovery

The region is still recovering from Hurricane Helene — and likely will be for a long time. Considering that resources will be limited, where do you prioritize putting the redevelopment funds?

Recovery should be focused on rebuilding critical infrastructure with long term resilience at the forefront of design. That means rebuilding our water, transportation, and flood protection infrastructure in a way that will withstand the effects of future climate disasters like tropical storm Helene. We should prioritize investments in housing first, because creating stable housing supports workforce recovery, school continuity, and public health. Supporting small and locally owned businesses is also essential so people can benefit from their work and neighborhoods can recover. I would prioritize projects that reduce future disaster risk and long-term costs, not just replace what was lost - that means rebuilding smarter, not just faster.

One of the biggest issues facing Asheville is lack of affordable housing. What is your top policy change that you think would help address the situation?

The most important policy change is increasing the supply of housing that is affordable. That includes missing-middle housing, multi family homes near jobs and transit, and better use of surplus city-held land. More supply reduces pressure on prices and displacement. We already have strong studies and plans that support this goal, now we need consistent follow-through in our efforts.

The city is facing a budget deficit of at least $30 million. How would you prioritize allocating what funds the city does have? Is there a section of the budget where you would make budgetary cuts, or would you choose to raise property taxes? 

Budgets are where values meet hard realities. I would prioritize core services (i.e. trash pickup, park maintenance, water and sewer services), housing stability, public safety, and infrastructure while shifting recurring expenses to stable funding sources. I support investing in energy and operational efficiency to reduce long-term costs and thoughtfully consolidating operations where it doesn’t impact critical services. If necessary, I would delay some capital projects before raising property taxes. As I’ve done as a County Commissioner, I would continue to pursue state and federal resources while maintaining transparency and public engagement throughout the process.

The City of Asheville and Buncombe County spent years working on a reparations plan for Black residents. Now the federal government is withholding funds from any entity that refers to DEI or that singles out a specific race for any special consideration and is actively discouraging DEI initiatives in local government. What is your feeling about the work the Community Reparations Commission produced?  Would you implement its recommendations considering the federal restrictions? How?

The work of the Community Reparations Commission is historic, necessary, and deeply important. Its recommendations address harms that were created over generations and cannot be resolved within a single vote or budget cycle. Federal restrictions complicate implementation, but they do not erase our responsibility to pursue the goals outlined in the report. I support advancing those recommendations by incorporating them into broader policy goals, such as housing access, health outcomes, education, and economic mobility, while also remaining compliant with federal funding requirements. This work should guide our long-term priorities and decision-making.

What do you love about Asheville that you want to see more of?

I love our strong sense of community, creativity, and care for this place. I want to see neighborhoods where people of different incomes can live, thrive, work, and age in place. More local businesses, arts spaces, and third places that bring people together. I would love to see more public investment that reflects Asheville’s values of fairness, resilience, and belonging.

Do you think the current City Council has prioritized the right issues?  If yes, why are those the right issues?  If not, where would you re-direct the focus?

City Council cares about many of the right issues, including housing, climate resilience, and public services. Where progress has lagged, it’s less about priorities and more about execution. Increasing housing supply and reducing sprawl should move faster. Going forward, the Council needs to operate more cohesively as one team focused on outcomes.