What we do Last updated or reviewed on April 16, 2025 Finance and Management Services The Finance and Management Services Department provides financial management and oversight in support of all City functions while adhering to the principles of leadership, customer service, quality, integrity, and collaboration. Goals Improve communication and cross-functional collaboration through partnerships and education. Clearly define performance expectations and motivators to attract, develop, and retain high quality staff. Instill confidence, inspire trust, and ensure transparency through accurate, purposeful financial and managerial processes and reporting. Popular Resources Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Information Vendor Registration: Domestic (US) Vendor Registration/Update Form (W9) Foreign Vendor Registration/Update Form (W8) Administration Division Tony McDowell, Finance Director Office Phone: 828-259-5635 Email: tmcdowell@ashevillenc.gov Becki Ogles, Assistant Finance Director Office Phone: 828-251-4094 Email: bogles@ashevillenc.gov Alisha Mazza, Business Services Supervisor Office Phone: 828-259-5598 Email: amazza@ashevillenc.gov Strategic Services Frank McGowan, Strategic Services Manager Office Phone: 828-259-5811 Cell Phone: 828-777-1139 Email: fmcgowan@ashevillenc.gov Internal Audit Click here to access the Internal Audit Office webpage. Lauren Brune, Internal Audit Program Manager Office Phone: 828-259-5665 Email: lbrune@ashevillenc.gov Compliance Tom Downing, Financial and Programmatic Compliance Specialist Phone: 828-259-5588 Email: tdowning@ashevillenc.gov Purchasing and Contracting Division Click here to access the Purchasing and Contracting Division, Current Bid Opportunities and other related information. Amy Patterson, Purchasing Manager Phone: 828-259-5953 Email: apatterson@ashevillenc.gov Risk Management Division Risk Management’s mission is to provide effective risk, safety and claims management services to each department and the citizens of Asheville in a timely, courteous, efficient and effective manner within organizational guidelines. The Risk Management Division provides: Comprehensive administration, budgeting, financing and loss prevention control services for the City of Asheville, including all lines of insurance and Workers’ Compensation Processes claims for damages from the public and manages them to disposition Works with all Departments to mitigate unsafe conditions in City facilities or in the protocols and procedures utilized to deliver services The City Risk Manager serves as the American with Disabilities (ADA) Coordinator regarding ADA Title II concerns. Please contact the City Risk Manager regarding ADA Title II matters. Brad Stein, Risk Manager Phone: 828-259-5687 E-mail: bstein@ashevillenc.gov Accounting Division The Accounting Division manages the operational and reporting aspects of Finance to ensure compliance with all city, state and outside agency regulations and accounting standards. The Accounting Division also delivers support and other services to internal departments, as well as external vendors. Specific functions managed by the Accounting Division include: All payroll related functions Mange all central accounts payable activities Management of the City’s central banking account relationships Maintenance of the City’s debt and investment portfolio Preparation of miscellaneous billing items, including annual business license renewal Manage the purchase card (P-Card) program Manages the year-end audit Maintenance of general ledger and sub-ledgers Preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) Other functions include capital assets, grant accounting, sales tax, and all general ledger reconciliations. Becki Ogles, Assistant Finance Director Office Phone: 828-251-4094 Email: bogles@ashevillenc.gov Budget and Performance Division Lindsay Spangler – Budget and Performance Manager Phone: (828) 259-5592 E-mail: lspangler@ashevillenc.gov Connect Address 70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801 Mailing Address PO Box 7148, Asheville, NC 28802 Phone Number 828-259-5709 Business HoursMonday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.Finance DirectorTony McDowell (tmcdowell@ashevillenc.gov)General Inquiries828-259-5709 Related Services Business Inclusion (ABI) The Business Inclusion Office for the City of Asheville actively seeks to identify minority and women-owned businesses for an opportunity to participate as providers of goods and services to the city. Explore Related ServicesRelated Projects 2016 General Obligation (GO) Bond Project Overview In 2016 voters approved a bond referendum to finance capital improvement projects across the city. A total of $74 million was issued for projects categorized by three focus areas: $17 million for parks $25 million for housing $32 million for transportation These projects help address the city’s unfunded capital needs and supplement funding for projects that are already [...] 2024 General Obligation (GO) Bond A bond referendum allows voters to decide whether their local government can issue new debt to fund important projects. In Asheville, approved bond referendums in 2016 and 2024 involve general obligation bonds, which are secured by the City’s commitment to repay them through taxes or other revenue sources. Explore Related ProjectsFinance and Management Services News What’s Up AVL! This week City of Asheville finance staff talk proposed FY2026 budget Posted on May 20, 2025 by Kim Miller With the FY2026 proposed budget public hearing session on Council's agenda for the May 27 - get a primer from the City of Asheville finance folks on this week's episode of What's up AVL! Restoring City-owned infrastructure through the FEMA Public Assistance Program Posted on January 23, 2025 by Meredith Friedheim The City of Asheville experienced an estimated $1 billion in damage to City-owned property and assets due to Helene. This includes extensive damage to City-owned parks, streets, buildings, utilities, and other vital assets and infrastructure. Rebuilding will be a massive undertaking, and this is not something the City can fund on its own. Federal and [...] Investing in Community Infrastructure: 2024 Progress & 2025 Outlook Posted on January 16, 2025January 21, 2025 by Meredith Friedheim While 2024 brought an unimaginably difficult ending (looking at you, Helene), still much was accomplished. From accessible sidewalks to public restrooms to playgrounds, the City of Asheville continues to invest in the quality of life for our community. Read on to find out about infrastructure improvements made throughout the city in 2024 and what’s in [...] Explore Finance and Management Services News
Business Inclusion (ABI) The Business Inclusion Office for the City of Asheville actively seeks to identify minority and women-owned businesses for an opportunity to participate as providers of goods and services to the city.
2016 General Obligation (GO) Bond Project Overview In 2016 voters approved a bond referendum to finance capital improvement projects across the city. A total of $74 million was issued for projects categorized by three focus areas: $17 million for parks $25 million for housing $32 million for transportation These projects help address the city’s unfunded capital needs and supplement funding for projects that are already [...]
2024 General Obligation (GO) Bond A bond referendum allows voters to decide whether their local government can issue new debt to fund important projects. In Asheville, approved bond referendums in 2016 and 2024 involve general obligation bonds, which are secured by the City’s commitment to repay them through taxes or other revenue sources. Explore Related ProjectsFinance and Management Services News What’s Up AVL! This week City of Asheville finance staff talk proposed FY2026 budget Posted on May 20, 2025 by Kim Miller With the FY2026 proposed budget public hearing session on Council's agenda for the May 27 - get a primer from the City of Asheville finance folks on this week's episode of What's up AVL! Restoring City-owned infrastructure through the FEMA Public Assistance Program Posted on January 23, 2025 by Meredith Friedheim The City of Asheville experienced an estimated $1 billion in damage to City-owned property and assets due to Helene. This includes extensive damage to City-owned parks, streets, buildings, utilities, and other vital assets and infrastructure. Rebuilding will be a massive undertaking, and this is not something the City can fund on its own. Federal and [...] Investing in Community Infrastructure: 2024 Progress & 2025 Outlook Posted on January 16, 2025January 21, 2025 by Meredith Friedheim While 2024 brought an unimaginably difficult ending (looking at you, Helene), still much was accomplished. From accessible sidewalks to public restrooms to playgrounds, the City of Asheville continues to invest in the quality of life for our community. Read on to find out about infrastructure improvements made throughout the city in 2024 and what’s in [...] Explore Finance and Management Services News
What’s Up AVL! This week City of Asheville finance staff talk proposed FY2026 budget Posted on May 20, 2025 by Kim Miller With the FY2026 proposed budget public hearing session on Council's agenda for the May 27 - get a primer from the City of Asheville finance folks on this week's episode of What's up AVL!
Restoring City-owned infrastructure through the FEMA Public Assistance Program Posted on January 23, 2025 by Meredith Friedheim The City of Asheville experienced an estimated $1 billion in damage to City-owned property and assets due to Helene. This includes extensive damage to City-owned parks, streets, buildings, utilities, and other vital assets and infrastructure. Rebuilding will be a massive undertaking, and this is not something the City can fund on its own. Federal and [...]
Investing in Community Infrastructure: 2024 Progress & 2025 Outlook Posted on January 16, 2025January 21, 2025 by Meredith Friedheim While 2024 brought an unimaginably difficult ending (looking at you, Helene), still much was accomplished. From accessible sidewalks to public restrooms to playgrounds, the City of Asheville continues to invest in the quality of life for our community. Read on to find out about infrastructure improvements made throughout the city in 2024 and what’s in [...]
