Buncombe County public meetings in 2022

Board of Commissioners

The Board certified election results for $30M in open space bonds and $40M in affordable housing bonds. Other actions included approving a $210,500 demolition design contract and updating affordable housing program guidelines.

• Certified passage of $30M General Obligation Open Space Bonds and $40M General Obligation Affordable Housing Bonds (7-0)
• Approved $210,500 design consultant contract with Civil Design Concepts, P.A. for Haynes Tower demolition (7-0)
• Adopted revised Affordable Housing Services Program Description, Requirements & Guidelines (7-0)
• Authorized FY 2024 Section 5311 Capital Grant application for $2,088,884 (7-0)
• Approved budget amendment for $309,269 CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program (7-0)
• Approved budget amendment for $153,438 Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Funding (7-0)
• Elected Commissioner Wells as Vice Chair (7-0)
• Approved bonding of County Officials, including $1M for the Finance Director (7-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners held a special meeting to interview candidates for the Tourism Development Authority. No substantive decisions were made during the session.

• Interviews for Tourism Development Authority candidates conducted; no action taken

Board of Commissioners

The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding to demolish the Enka Tower using 1/4 cent sales tax revenues. Other actions included approving conservation easements for three farms and consolidating funds for affordable housing services. The Board also updated the drug-free workplace policy and juvenile crime prevention funding.

• Approved MOU for demolition of Enka Tower using 1/4 Cent Sales Tax revenues (6-0)
• Approved budget amendment to establish three new conservation easement projects for $113,000 (6-0)
• Approved budget amendment to consolidate $1,488,155 for Affordable Housing Services Program (6-0)
• Approved technical corrections to Drug-Free Workplace Policy (6-0)
• Approved updated Juvenile Crime Prevention Council FY 2022-2023 County Funding Plan (6-0)
• Approved budget revision for NC CDBG-CV Program (6-0)
• Approved $115,000 budget amendment for School Health Liaison (6-0)
• Approved addition of 0.83 miles of East Frederick Law Olmsted Way to State Highway System (6-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Board approved a program providing reduced monthly parking rates for low-to-moderate income individuals at the Coxe Avenue Garage. Additionally, the Board approved over $31M for school capital projects and a construction contract for countywide parking lot improvements.

• Approved resolution establishing Coxe Avenue Affordable Parking Program (7-0)
• Approved ordinance amending FY2023 Fee Schedule to include $40 monthly parking rate for eligible individuals (7-0)
• Approved $31,185,440 budget amendment for School Capital Fund Commission FY2023 projects (7-0)
• Approved $1,191,203.51 construction contract with C&T Paving for FY20 Countywide Parking Lot Improvements Project (7-0)
• Approved technical correction to Leave Policy (7-0)
• Approved October 18, 2022 Briefing and Regular Meeting minutes (7-0)
• Approved September 2022 Tax Collection Report (7-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Board voted 7-0 to accept two U.S. Department of Justice grants totaling $2,246,756: a $750,000 Adult Drug Court Discretionary Grant to enhance treatment courts and a $1,496,756 Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative grant. The Board also approved two budget amendments and two grant-funded FTE positions. In other business, the Board approved the consent agenda 7-0, including minutes, a Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee waiver, and a $143,075 budget amendment for State Library Fiscal Recovery Funds. Patricia Killion was appointed to the Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee by general consensus.

• Approved $750,000 Adult Drug Court Discretionary Grant for treatment court enhancements (7-0)
• Approved $1,496,756 Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative grant (7-0)
• Approved two budget amendments for Justice Services grant awards (7-0)
• Approved two grant-funded FTE positions (7-0)
• Approved consent agenda including minutes, HCCBG waiver, and $143,075 library budget amendment (7-0)
• Appointed Patricia Killion to Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee by general consensus
• Received presentations on Environmental & Energy Stewardship update and Hurricane Ian preparedness
• Discussed Ad Hoc Reappraisal Committee recommendations action plan; no vote taken

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved four budget amendments and a contract, all by 6-0 votes. They allocated $384,000 for six conservation easement projects, $458,500 for opioid settlement programs, $1 million for A-B Tech stormwater projects, and $4.1 million for the A-B Tech Enka roof replacement, awarding the $5.7M contract to Vannoy Construction. They also appointed Hunter Goosman to the Mountain Community Capital Fund Operating Committee.

• Approved $384,000 budget amendment for six conservation easement projects (6-0)
• Approved $458,500 budget amendment for FY23 opioid settlement funds (6-0)
• Approved $1,000,000 budget amendment for FY23 A-B Tech stormwater projects (6-0)
• Approved $4,108,177 budget amendment for FY20 A-B Tech Enka TCC roof replacement (6-0)
• Awarded $5,707,562 contract to Vannoy Construction for TCC roof replacement (6-0)
• Approved consent agenda including tax report and Creech & Associates contract amendment (6-0)
• Appointed Hunter Goosman to Mountain Community Capital Fund Operating Committee

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting to interview candidates for the Mountain Community Capital Fund Operating Committee. No votes or decisions were made during the session.

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners met in special session and unanimously voted to enter closed session to discuss legal matters and real property negotiations. After the closed session, the board reconvened in open session and adjourned without taking any action on the matters discussed.

• Approved closed session for legal and real property negotiations (7-0)
• Approved return to open session (7-0)
• Approved adjournment (7-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting to interview candidates for the Planning Board. No votes or decisions were made; the meeting was purely procedural.

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners approved a $1.7 million budget amendment for security hardware upgrades at multiple Buncombe County Schools, funded by NC Education Lottery dollars. They also granted Dominion Energy permanent and temporary easements on county property for a gas pipeline relocation, in exchange for $80,000. Several other resolutions and budget amendments were approved, including a $400,000 CDBG housing rehabilitation application and a $409,299 transit grant application.

• Approved $1.7M budget for school security hardware upfits (6-0)
• Granted Dominion Energy utility easements for $80,000 (6-0)
• Approved $400,000 CDBG-NR housing rehab application (6-0)
• Approved FY2024 Section 5311 transit grant application (6-0)
• Approved consent agenda including conservation interlocal agreement (6-0)
• Approved $30,000 ESSA transportation contract budget amendment (6-0)
• Approved $10,000 VAYA ARPA child & family grant budget amendment (6-0)
• Appointed Eric Robinson to Planning Board

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners approved adding a Qualified High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) option for county employees starting January 1, 2023, with the county funding the full deductible into Health Savings Accounts for the first year. The board also approved a consent agenda including resolutions for a fireworks display, a service firearm for a retiring deputy, interlocal agreements for a homeowner grant program, and a resolution supporting a regional Safe Streets for All grant application. Additionally, the board approved a budget amendment for FY2022 budget carryforwards totaling $5.3 million and reappointed members to the County Board of Adjustment and the Home & Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee.

• Approved adding a Qualified High Deductible Health Plan option for CY2023, with the county funding the full deductible into Health Savings Accounts for the first year; no increase to employee health insurance premiums.
• Approved the consent agenda, including approval of August 16 meeting minutes, a resolution for a fireworks display, a resolution awarding a service firearm to a retiring deputy, a tax collection report, an MOU with the Board of Elections, Director of Elections compensation, interlocal agreements for the Homeowner Grant Program, and a resolution supporting a Safe Streets for All grant application.
• Approved a resolution designating official banking depositories for the county, including Wells Fargo, Regions Bank, Bank of America, First Citizens Bank, Truist Bank, and US Bank.
• Approved a budget amendment for the reissuance of $388,445 from the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program to continue vaccine services and support the HHS Mobile Unit.
• Approved a budget amendment for FY2022 budget carryforwards totaling $5,338,888 for the General Fund, $725,549 for the Mountain Mobility Special Revenue Fund, and $16,249 for the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund.
• Approved a budget amendment transferring $3,048,000 to the Special Projects Fund for economic development incentives.
• Reappointed Katherine Morosani, Gabe Quesinberry, Wesley Greene, and Tim Henderson to the County Board of Adjustment.
• Reappointed Greg Zornes to the Home & Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee.

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners met in special session and voted 6-0 to enter closed session under NCGS 143-318.11(a)(6) to discuss personnel qualifications and a complaint. No action was taken during closed session, and the meeting adjourned shortly after returning to open session.

• Approved closed session motion (6-0)
• Approved return to open session motion (6-0)
• Approved adjournment motion (6-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution establishing a General Obligation Bonds Community Oversight Committee to monitor investments from the $40M housing and $30M open space bonds if voters approve them in November. The board also approved several budget amendments, including $269,210 for the DWI Taskforce Grant and a $114,449 FEMA-funded road repair. All votes were 6-0.

• Approved resolution establishing General Obligation Bonds Community Oversight Committee (6-0)
• Approved $269,210 budget for DWI Taskforce Grant FY2023 (6-0)
• Approved $114,449 budget amendment for High-Top Tower Access Road FEMA funding (6-0)
• Approved $821,915 budget amendment for LOBs 2022A/2022B & Refunding 2014A (6-0)
• Approved $60,000 budget amendment for NC Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 2 (6-0)
• Approved $15,000 budget amendment for Dogwood Health Trust Grants Curriculum (6-0)
• Approved updated CDBG-NR Citizen Participation Plan (6-0)
• Approved appointments to Mountain Area Workforce Development and Early Childhood Education & Development Committee (6-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners met in special session and voted unanimously to enter closed session to discuss a personnel matter. After discussion, no action was taken, and the board adjourned. No substantive decisions were made during the open portion of the meeting.

• Approved closed session motion (7-0)
• Approved return to open session motion (7-0)
• Approved adjournment motion (7-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners approved a $375,000 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) economic development appropriation to the Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation for its Community Equity Fund program, which provides equity capital to BIPOC and women-owned businesses. The Board also approved the FY2022 annual property tax settlement and adopted the FY2023 order of collection, along with several budget amendments and a resolution supporting the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' effort to restore the name Kuwohi to Clingmans Dome. All votes were unanimous (7-0).

• Approved $375,000 ARPA grant to Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation (7-0)
• Approved FY2022 annual property tax settlement and adopted FY2023 order of collection (7-0)
• Approved resolution supporting restoration of Kuwohi name for Clingmans Dome (7-0)
• Approved $1,233,156 budget amendment for ELC Enhanced Detection (7-0)
• Approved $260,039 budget transfer for two positions from Legal to Emergency Services (7-0)
• Approved $432,650 budget amendment for Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (7-0)
• Approved $30,000 budget amendment for Chafee (LINKS) Transitional Funds (7-0)
• Approved $20,000 budget amendment for VAYA ARPA Child and Family Grant (7-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved $18,821,666 in COVID Recovery Funding for 24 projects, including affordable housing, broadband, and mental health services. The board also approved adding $500,000 to the budget for reparations, with a 2% increase each following year. Additionally, the board approved a rezoning request for 19 Staak Drive and several budget amendments for grants and other projects.

• Approved $18,821,666 in COVID Recovery Funding for 24 projects (7-0)
• Added $500,000 to budget for reparations, with 2% annual increase (7-0)
• Approved rezoning of 19 Staak Drive from R-1 to NS (7-0)
• Approved $612,000 in economic development appropriations (various votes)
• Approved $3,298,616 in grants for Tropical Storm Fred recovery (7-0)
• Approved $621,948 budget increase for FY21 Solar on Public Facilities (7-0)
• Established enterprise fund for Sheriff's Real-Time Intelligence Center (7-0)
• Approved consent agenda including multiple resolutions and ordinances (7-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on June 21, 2022, to interview candidates for the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority and A-B Tech Community College Board of Trustees. No votes or decisions were made during the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 3:05 p.m.

• Conducted interviews for Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority candidates (no action)
• Conducted interviews for A-B Tech Community College Board of Trustees candidates (no action)

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners adopted the FY2023 budget ordinances, including a $398,135,568 General Fund budget and a property tax rate of 48.8 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, unchanged from FY2022. The board also approved grants to the Economic Development Coalition and the Regional Sports Commission, extended double-time pay for 911 staff, and approved funding for a summer camp.

• Adopted FY2023 Annual Funds Ordinance and fee schedule (7-0)
• Adopted FY2023 Capital Projects Ordinance (7-0)
• Approved $450,000 grant to Asheville-Buncombe County Economic Development Coalition (6-0)
• Approved $45,000 grant to Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission (6-0)
• Extended double-time pay for 911 overtime shifts through Sept. 30, 2022 (7-0)
• Approved $50,000 in ARPA funds for Chosen PODS Summer Camp (7-0)
• Approved Internal Audit Charter, Audit Committee Charter, Bylaws, & FY2023 Audit Plan (7-0)
• Approved consent agenda including budget amendments and resolutions (7-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners held public hearings and then voted 6-0 to set a November 8, 2022, special bond referendum for two General Obligation bond orders: $30 million for open space and $40 million for housing. The board also approved issuing up to $155 million in Limited Obligation Bonds for county and school capital projects, and approved the FY2023 recommended budget for a public hearing, with adoption scheduled for June 21.

• Set Nov. 8, 2022, referendum on $30M open space and $40M housing GO bonds (6-0)
• Approved $155M Limited Obligation Bonds for county/school capital projects (6-0)
• Approved FY2023 audit contract with CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (6-0)
• Approved letter supporting an alternatively owned hospital in Buncombe County (6-0)
• Approved consent agenda including fireworks permits, tax report, and budget amendments (6-0)
• Approved resolution modifying Land Conservation Advisory Board terms (6-0)
• Approved budget amendments for Register of Deeds and health insurance (6-0)
• Deferred action on Leicester Fire Department attenuation light pending staff clarification

Board of Commissioners

The Board introduced bond orders for a November 8, 2022 referendum: $30 million for open space conservation and $40 million for low/moderate-income housing, and set a public hearing for June 7. The Board also approved a new employee compensation plan with a $17.00/hour minimum wage, a 20% land conservation goal, and a resolution supporting occupancy tax reform.

• Introduced $30M Open Space and $40M Housing bond orders for Nov. 8 referendum (7-0)
• Set public hearing on bond orders for June 7, 2022 (7-0)
• Approved new Compensation Plan with $17.00/hr living wage, effective May 21 (7-0)
• Approved 20% Land Conservation Goal by 2030 (7-0)
• Approved Resolution Supporting Reform of Room Occupancy Tax (7-0)
• Approved FY2023 ART transit funding of $160,731 for WE1 and Route 170 (7-0)
• Approved full electrification design for new Fleet Building (7-0)
• Approved Personnel Ordinance update and adopted five standalone policies (7-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on May 10, 2022, and took two substantive actions. They approved a Financial Performance Indicator of Concern (FPIC) response letter to the Local Government Commission, addressing a delayed audit due to OMB guidance. They also voted to proceed into contract negotiations with Ward & Smith for lobbying services ahead of the legislative session. Both motions passed unanimously 7-0.

• Approved FPIC response letter to Local Government Commission (7-0)
• Approved proceeding into contract negotiations with Ward & Smith for lobbying services (7-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Board approved three COVID Recovery Fund awards totaling $4,855,448: $3,201,546 for Buncombe Partnership for Children to expand NC Pre-K, $935,286 for Asheville Housing Authority for the Reimagining Deaverview Phase 1 project, and $718,616 for Mountain Housing Opportunities for the Lakeshore Villas project. The Board also approved resolutions to pursue a referendum on $70 million in general obligation bonds for open space and affordable housing, and authorized up to $155 million in Limited Obligation Bonds for capital projects. An ordinance amending the Farmland Preservation Program was tabled for further review.

• Approved $3,201,546 COVID Recovery Fund grant for Buncombe Partnership for Children (7-0)
• Approved $935,286 for Asheville Housing Authority and $718,616 for Mountain Housing Opportunities (7-0)
• Approved resolution for up to $155M in Limited Obligation Bonds for capital projects (7-0)
• Approved resolutions to pursue $70M in general obligation bonds for open space and housing (7-0)
• Tabled ordinance amending Farmland Preservation Program for expert review (7-0)
• Approved $11M budget amendment for occupancy tax pass-through (7-0)
• Approved $1.5M budget amendment for special taxing districts (7-0)
• Approved $3.5M budget amendment for public school ADM fund (7-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners met in special session and voted unanimously to enter closed session to discuss personnel matters. No action was taken following the discussion, and the board adjourned without any substantive decisions.

• Approved motion to enter closed session (7-0)
• Approved motion to return to open session (7-0)
• Approved motion to adjourn (7-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on March 15, 2022, solely to conduct interviews for Asheville's Community Reparations Commission. No formal decisions or votes were taken during the meeting. The board adjourned after the interviews.

• Conducted interviews for Asheville's Community Reparations Commission (no action taken)

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved an amendment to the design-build construction contract with AstroTurf Corporation, increasing the project budget from $3,500,000 to not exceed $4,754,726 for artificial turf fields at Buncombe County Sports Park. The board also approved budget amendments transferring $734,226 in contingency funds to cover the increased costs. All votes were unanimous (7-0).

• Approved AstroTurf contract amendment, raising project budget to $4,754,726 (7-0)
• Approved $734,226 budget amendment for Enka Recreation Destination turf and lighting (7-0)
• Approved reconveyance of Eblen Intermediate School and North Buncombe High School to Buncombe County Board of Education (7-0)
• Approved reconveyance of Ira B. Jones Elementary School to Asheville City Board of Education (7-0)
• Approved $3,035,000 budget amendment for A-B Tech capital projects (7-0)
• Approved $628,114 budget amendment for Communicable Disease and Infection Prevention Mobile Team (7-0)
• Approved $97,328 budget amendment for LINKS foster care transition funding (7-0)
• Appointed Joseiah Rogers, Julie Risedorf, and Ruth O'Donnell to Library Board (7-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on February 15, 2022, solely to conduct interviews for the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. No decisions, approvals, or votes were made during the meeting. The board adjourned after the interviews, with no substantive action recorded.

• Conducted interviews for Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee candidates; no action taken.

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners approved a $749,000 COVID Recovery Fund award for construction of the Haywood Street affordable housing project, with funding conditioned on further due diligence. The board also approved several budget amendments, including $2.29 million for emergency rental assistance, $1.89 million for low-income energy assistance, and $1.96 million for school salary needs. Additionally, the board approved $50,000 for KN95 masks for public distribution, and various consent agenda items including contracts for the Asheville High School track design and A-B Tech maintenance projects.

• Approved $749K COVID Recovery Fund award for Haywood Street affordable housing (7-0)
• Approved $50K for KN95 masks for public distribution (6-1)
• Approved $2,285,273 budget amendment for NC PRO Emergency Rental Assistance (7-0)
• Approved $1,887,432 budget amendment for Low-Income Energy Assistance (7-0)
• Approved $1,959,515 additional education appropriation for school salaries (7-0)
• Approved consent agenda including K9 transfer, tax lien advertising, and contracts (7-0)
• Approved appointments to Metropolitan Sewerage District, Jury Commission, and Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (7-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners voted 6-1 to extend the local face covering order for most indoor public settings until February 16, 2022, with Commissioner Pressley dissenting. The board also approved a consent agenda including several budget amendments and appointments, hired a new Internal Audit Director, and engaged legal counsel to review commissioner district options.

• Extended face covering requirement to Feb. 16, 2022 (6-1)
• Approved consent agenda including minutes, appointments, and resolutions (7-0)
• Approved engagement of PoynerSpruill for electoral district legal advice (7-0)
• Approved hiring Dan Keister as Internal Audit Director (7-0)
• Approved $2.5M increase in Register of Deeds excise stamp tax revenue budget (7-0)
• Approved $452,172 budget for Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (7-0)
• Appointed members to Adult Care Home, Agricultural, and Juvenile Crime Prevention boards (7-0)