Buncombe County, NC

General

General

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will hold a briefing to receive staff updates. The session includes discussions on FCC rates, the Continuum of Care, and local planning initiatives.

• FCC Rate Discussion
• Continuum of Care Quarterly Update
• Buncombe County Pedestrian Plan
• Swannanoa Small Area and Resilience Plan

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing regarding a building reuse grant and economic development agreement for Appalachian Mountain Health. The board will also consider a budget amendment and a purchase request for retired officers.

• Public hearing: Appalachian Mountain Health Economic Development Agreement and Building Reuse Grant
• Budget amendment to accept JAG 2025 Allocation
• Purchase of duty weapons by retired officers
• Letter of support for Fairview Holiday Parade

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners meets October 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM at 200 College Street, Room 326, Asheville. The agenda includes a consent list of routine approvals, two public hearings (East Fork Economic Development Agreement and CDBG-NR), and new business covering an economic development update, affordable housing program guidelines, and several budget amendments. Public comment is taken at the beginning of the meeting.

• Public hearing on the East Fork Economic Development Agreement
• Public hearing on CDBG-NR
• Approval of revisions to the Affordable Housing Services Program Guidelines
• Budget amendment to receive and appropriate grant funding for a Multifamily Recycling Pilot Program
• Budget amendment to accept grant agreements for a Sidewalks Project

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved economic development incentives for East Fork Pottery and authorized grant modifications to fund sidewalk projects in Swannanoa. The board also adopted revised guidelines for the Affordable Housing Services Program, accepted grant funding for a multifamily recycling pilot, and made several board appointments. Agenda item New Business 5, a budget amendment, was removed from the agenda prior to approval.

• Approved consent agenda and amended agenda (carried unanimously)
• Approved economic development incentives and agreement for East Fork Pottery (carried unanimously)
• Approved resolution authorizing CDBG-NR grant modification for $719,400 (carried 6-0)
• Authorized County Manager to participate in NC Commerce Building Reuse Grant Program for Appalachian Mountain Health (carried 6-0)
• Adopted revisions to Affordable Housing Services Program Guidelines (passed 5-1, Commissioner Ball opposed)
• Approved budget amendment for $71,500 NC DEQ multifamily recycling pilot grant (carried unanimously)
• Approved budget amendment accepting two Small Business Infrastructure Grant awards totaling $1,765,360 for sidewalk projects (carried unanimously)
• Appointed Jennifer Farmer, Carmen Robinson, Caitrin Doyle, and Thomas Kelly to the Health and Human Services Board (carried unanimously)

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will hold public comment, consider consent items, and hear proclamations. They will hold a public hearing on the FY28 NCDOT Community Transportation 5311 application, receive an update on Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and CDBG-DR awards, and vote on a Deaverview master planning contract and conservation easement budget amendments.

• Approval of September 1 and August 18, 2026 meeting minutes
• Resolution approving pyrotechnic expert for fireworks display
• Budget amendment and acceptance of Governor's Crime Commission Violence Reduction 2026 Grant
• Public hearing on FY28 NCDOT Community Transportation 5311 application
• Approval of Deaverview Master Planning Contract

The Board approved a master planning contract for Deaverview Mountain and budget amendments for conservation easements. It also authorized a grant application for Mountain Mobility transportation funding. Several board and commission appointments were confirmed.

• Approved $1,392,190 Deaverview Mountain Master Planning contract (unanimous)
• Approved budget amendments for conservation easements totaling ~$311,300 from annual budget and $2.2M from open space bond (unanimous)
• Authorized application for FY 2027 Public Transportation Program funding for Mountain Mobility (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda including GCC Violence Reduction 2026 Grant and pyrotechnic expert resolution (unanimous)
• Appointed Charles Hubbard and Mark Diaz to Agricultural Advisory Board (unanimous)
• Appointed Sala Menaya-Merritt, Sandy Feutz, Rachel Dudasik, and Christine Crespo Valentin to Strategic Partnership Grants Committee (unanimous)
• Appointed Edward Willis to ABTCC Board of Trustees
• Appointed Scott Elliott (alternate) and James Diaz, Jr. (regular) to County Board of Adjustment

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners is holding a briefing to receive staff updates on several topics, including bear activity, Hurricane Helene recovery, solid waste, the East Fork project, and a sidewalks grant. No formal votes or decisions are scheduled; the meeting is primarily informational and includes open discussion.

• Bear activity update (10 min)
• Helene recovery update (30 min)
• Solid waste update (15 min)
• East Fork project update (15 min)
• Sidewalks grant update (15 min)

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will review pharmacy benefit changes and a new pharmacy benefit manager. The meeting also includes discussions on community infrastructure projects and budget amendments for library donations and hazard mitigation.

• Approval of pharmacy benefit changes and a new pharmacy benefit manager
• Authorization to submit proposed projects for CDBG-DR Community Infrastructure
• Notification of award for WNC Future Factories
• Budget amendment for Library Donations
• Budget amendment for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Subrecipient Management Funds

The Board approved a new pharmacy benefit manager and changes to GLP-1 medication coverage for employees. They also authorized staff to submit three CDBG-DR grant applications for Helene recovery and accepted a major grant award for the WNC Future Factories project.

• Approved new pharmacy benefit manager and GLP-1 coverage changes (unanimous)
• Authorized submission of three CDBG-DR community infrastructure grant applications (unanimous)
• Authorized County Manager to accept WNC Future Factories grant award (6-0, Chair recused)
• Approved budget amendment for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program management funds (unanimous)
• Approved FY2026 budget carryforwards totaling $552,611 (unanimous)
• Reappointed four members to Mountain Area Workforce Development Board (unanimous)
• Appointed Commissioner Ball to Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care (unanimous)
• Appointed Commissioner Horton to Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (unlaminous)

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners is holding a briefing to review the meeting agenda and receive staff updates. Topics include a letter of support for UNC, NCACC legislative goals, and an update on benefits and pharmacy offerings. The meeting is primarily informational with open discussion following the updates.

• UNC Letter of Support discussion
• NCACC Legislative Goals update
• Benefits and Pharmacy Offerings update by Shauna Shepherd and USI

General

The Buncombe County Commission is holding a briefing to review the meeting agenda and receive staff updates. They will discuss a letter of support for UNC and receive an update on benefits and pharmacy offerings from Shauna Shepherd and USI. The meeting is primarily informational with open discussion following the updates.

• Discussion of UNC letter of support
• Update on benefits and pharmacy offerings (30 min presentation)

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners is meeting to consider several items, including a public hearing on an economic development agreement with Southeastern Container, a public hearing on a KOA map amendment on US Hwy 70, and a contract for indoor recreation center design services. The board will also discuss a resolution in support of Lennie's Law and make board appointments. The agenda includes routine consent items and a closed session.

• Southeastern Container Economic Development Agreement (public hearing)
• ZPH2026-00024 KOA Map Amendment (US Hwy 70)
• Indoor Recreation Center Design Services Contract Approval
• Resolution in Support of Lennie's Law
• CDBG-DR Community Infrastructure - Public Hearing #1

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners is meeting to consider several items, including public hearings on an economic development agreement with Southeastern Container, a community infrastructure grant, and a zoning map amendment. The board will also vote on a design services contract for an indoor recreation center and other resolutions.

• Public hearing on Southeastern Container Economic Development Agreement
• Public hearing on CDBG-DR Community Infrastructure (Public Hearing #1)
• ZPH2026-00024 KOA Map Amendment on US Hwy 70
• Indoor Recreation Center Design Services Contract Approval
• Resolution in Support of Lennie's Law

The Board approved economic development incentives for Southeastern Container's $31.3 million expansion and a downzoning request for a KOA campground. Additionally, the Board passed a resolution supporting 'Lennie’s Law' for bicycle safety and approved a design contract for a new Indoor Recreation Center.

• Approved Southeastern Container incentives and $105,000 building reuse grant budget (5-1)
• Approved rezoning of US Hwy 70 parcels from CS Commercial to R-3 Residential (5-1)
• Passed Resolution in Support of Lennie's Law (unanimous)
• Approved $1,599,220 contract for Indoor Recreation Center design services (unanimous)
• Approved UNC Health Letter of Support for new 92-bed hospital (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda and amended agenda (unanimous)

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will hold a briefing to receive staff updates. The session includes a discussion on a resolution supporting Lennie's Law and a progress update on the Enka Heritage Trail.

• Resolution in Support of Lennie's Law
• Enka Heritage Trail update

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will meet to approve standard meeting minutes, tax reports, and several contracts, including maintenance projects and an emergency operations center. They will also discuss economic development updates and budget amendments, with no public hearings scheduled.

• Approval of July 14 and July 21 meeting minutes
• Approval of $X contract for AB Tech Capital Plan Maintenance Projects
• Approval of contract for Buncombe County Emergency Operations Center and Storage Facility
• Budget amendment to expand Adoption Promotion Funds
• Approval of Annual Property Tax Settlement for Fiscal Year 2026

The Board authorized participation in the NC Commerce Building Reuse Grant Program for Southeastern Container's $31M expansion, creating 12 jobs. They also approved the FY26 tax settlement, FY27 order of collection, a $284,368 Helene recovery grant for boat launches, and a greenway agreement with Woodfin. The Enka Heritage Trail update was informational only, with no action taken.

• Authorized County Manager to coordinate with Southeastern Container and participate in NC Commerce Building Reuse Grant Program (6-1, Ball nay)
• Approved FY2026 Annual Tax Settlement (unanimous)
• Adopted FY2027 Order of Collection (unanimous)
• Accepted $284,368 NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Helene Recovery grant for boat launches (unanimous)
• Authorized execution of Interlocal Agreement Addendum with Town of Woodfin for greenways (unanimous)
• Approved Consent Agenda including AB Tech capital plan and Emergency Operations Center contracts (7-0)

Board of Commissioners

General

The Buncombe County Commissioners will hear staff updates on the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) for community infrastructure, a Continuum of Care program update, and a report on recent cyclosporiasis cases in North Carolina.

• CDBG-DR Update: Community Infrastructure – 15 min presentation by Tyler Henry
• Continuum of Care Update – 20 min presentation by Lacy Hoyle
• Cyclosporiasis Cases in NC Update – 15 min presentation by Ellis Matheson

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will consider several contract approvals, budget amendments, and public hearings. Items include design and construction contracts for county facilities, adoption of the Air Quality Code, and grants for streamflow rehabilitation and rural health. The meeting also features a public comment period, a parks proclamation, and board appointments.

• Approval of Design Services Contract for EMS West Regional Base
• Approval of Construction Contract for Asheville Middle School Track Replacement and Softball Field Restroom Addition
• Public Hearing and Adoption of the Buncombe County Air Quality Code
• Budget Amendment to Accept Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program (StRAP) Grant
• Budget Amendment to Accept Emergency Services DHHS Rural Health Transformation Program Grant

The Board unanimously adopted the Buncombe County Air Quality Code, effective July 24, 2026, taking over duties from the Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency. The Board also approved a $12,036,686 budget amendment for FY27 school capital projects, including $11,995,000 for Buncombe County Schools and $1,691,686 for Asheville City Schools, with $1,650,000 repurposed from prior security funding. Additionally, the Board approved two CDBG-DR grant applications for commercial district revitalization and a $802,275 stream restoration grant.

• Adopted Buncombe County Air Quality Code, effective July 24, 2026 (unanimous)
• Approved $12,036,686 budget amendment for FY27 school capital projects (unanimous)
• Approved CDBG-DR Commercial District Revitalization grant applications (unanimous)
• Approved $802,275 StRAP grant for streambank stabilization (unanimous)
• Approved $2.5M budget amendment for BCS lottery-funded campus repaving (unanimous)
• Approved RHTP Mobile Integrated Health Grant for two new positions (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda including EMS design contract and opioid settlement resolution (unanimous)
• Made 7 board appointments to various committees (unanimous)

General

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting to consider an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. The meeting includes public comment and a closed session. No additional details on the amendment are specified in the agenda.

• Amend the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget

The Board unanimously adopted an amended FY2027 budget under Option 1, using prior property values and setting the county tax rate at 61.54 cents per $100 of assessed value. This decision follows state legislation (SB 889 and SB 474) that delayed the 2026 revaluation. The board also approved revised tax rates for the Unified Fire District and Asheville City Schools. No other substantive decisions were made; the board entered closed session to discuss litigation.

• Adopted amended FY2027 budget with prior property values (unanimous)
• Set Buncombe County tax rate at 61.54 cents per $100 of assessed value
• Set Unified Fire District tax rate at 17.38 cents per $100 of assessed value
• Set Asheville City Schools tax rate at 11.75 cents per $100 of assessed value
• Moved into closed session to consult with attorney on federal lawsuit (unanimous)

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will hold public hearings regarding a General Obligation Bond Order and a special bond referendum for housing and open space. The body will also consider budget amendments and policy updates regarding overtime pay and fleet sustainability.

• Public hearings on General Obligation Bond Order and special bond referendum for Open Space and Housing
• Design and engineering contract for Garren Creek Landslide with ECS Southeast, LLC
• Resolution creating a Local Air Quality Program and Buncombe County Air Quality Advisory Council
• Policy updates for Overtime Pay, Sustainable Fleet, and PCI Compliance
• Adoption of the Hazard Mitigation Plan

Board of Commissioners

This is a briefing session for the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. The board will receive updates on four topics: amendment to state cash flow loan payment terms, quarterly Helene recovery update, air quality transition plan, and growth management strategies. No votes or decisions are scheduled at this briefing.

• State Cash Flow Loan - Amendment to Payment Terms update
• Quarterly Helene Recovery Update
• Air Quality Transition Plan
• Growth Management Strategies

Board of Commissioners

This briefing meeting includes staff updates on overtime pay policy, sustainable fleet, and PCI compliance; an update on the FY27 salary schedule; recommendations from the AB Tech Advisory Committee and School Capital Fund Commission; and a justice services update. No formal votes are expected.

• Policy updates on overtime pay, sustainable fleet, and PCI compliance
• FY27 salary schedule update
• FY27 AB Tech Advisory Committee recommendations
• School Capital Fund Commission recommendations
• Justice Services update

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will approve consent items, hear public comments, and consider the FY27 budget adoption and a 2026 General Obligation Bond Referendum. The meeting also includes budget amendments for safety projects and real property acquisition.

• FY27 Budget Adoption
• 2026 General Obligation Bond Referendum
• Budget Amendment for Storage Facility Project Budget Increase
• Authorization to Acquire Real Property at 7 S. Tunnel Road
• Approval of an Easement Agreement with Duke Energy

The Board adopted the FY27 general‑fund budget totaling $484.4 million, including new positions, a 2.71% cost‑of‑living adjustment, and major investments in education, public safety and human services. All items on the consent agenda were approved unanimously, and the Board unanimously recused Chair Edwards from voting on the Economic Development Coalition appropriation before approving that appropriation. No other motions were denied or tabled.

• Approved FY27 general‑fund budget of $484.4 M (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda items including minutes, tax report, firework experts, Duke Energy easement, duty weapon award, JCPC certification, and safety‑justice challenge interest (unanimous)
• Moved to closed session on contract negotiation matters (unanimous)
• Recused Chair Edwards from voting on Economic Development Coalition appropriation (unanimous)
• Approved Economic Development Coalition appropriation as set in FY27 budget (unanimous)

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners meets for a briefing to discuss several staff updates. Items include a letter of support for the Western NC Rail, a legislative update, an update on the Helene Recovery Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, reallocation of COVID recovery funding, and potential general obligation bonds opportunities. This is a discussion session with no scheduled votes.

• Letter of Support for the Western NC Rail
• Legislative Update (30 minutes)
• Helene Recovery Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Update
• COVID Recovery Funding Reallocation
• Potential GO Bonds Opportunities

Board of Commissioners

The Board will hold public hearings on the FY27 budget and a CDBG-DR commercial district revitalization project. New business includes a 2026 general obligation bond referendum, acceptance of hazard mitigation grant properties, and a budget amendment to use insurance proceeds for vehicle replacement after Helene. Consent items include a rate adjustment for purchased transportation services with Asheville and school lottery project approvals.

• 2026 General Obligation Bond Referendum
• CDBG-DR Commercial District Revitalization Public Hearing
• FY27 Budget Public Hearing
• Rate Adjustment for Purchased Transportation Services between Buncombe County and City of Asheville
• Budget Amendment to Realize Insurance Proceeds for Helene Vehicle Replacement

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners added the Western North Carolina Rail support letter to the consent agenda and approved it unanimously. The board also approved the consent agenda items—including pyrotechnic experts for fireworks, a rate adjustment for transportation services, the County Schools lottery project applications, and the JCPC updated funding plan and budget amendment—each carried unanimously.

• Approved Western NC Rail support letter (unanimous)
• Approved pyrotechnic experts for fireworks display (unanimous)
• Approved rate adjustment for purchased transportation services (unanimous)
• Approved Buncombe County Schools lottery project applications (unanimous)
• Approved JCPC updated funding plan and budget amendment (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda as amended (unanimous)

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will hold a briefing to discuss staff updates and proposals. Key items include a resolution asking HCA’s CEO to directly engage with Western North Carolina stakeholders, a letter of support for AdventHealth’s Certificate of Need, and budget comments from fire district chiefs. No formal votes are scheduled; items are presented for discussion.

• Resolution requesting HCA CEO direct stakeholder engagement in WNC
• Letter of support for AdventHealth's Certificate of Need (CON)
• Community Paramedic program update
• Wildfire Prevention Campaign update
• Fire chiefs' budget comments (60-minute slot)

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will hear the County Manager's FY2027 Recommended Budget presentation and consider a Farmland Preservation Ordinance Revision. Several consent items include construction contracts and a resolution of support for AdventHealth's certification of need. New business items include a Helene Recovery recycling infrastructure grant and a resolution urging HCA CEO engagement with WNC stakeholders.

• County Manager's FY2027 Recommended Budget presentation
• Farmland Preservation Ordinance Revision
• Budget amendment for Helene Recovery Recycling Infrastructure Grant and acceptance of award
• Resolution asking HCA CEO to directly engage with stakeholders in Western North Carolina
• Construction contract for Asheville High School Culinary Kitchen Renovation

The commissioners unanimously moved to place a resolution urging HCA’s CEO to meet Western North Carolina stakeholders on the New Business agenda. They also approved adding a letter of support for AdventHealth’s Certificate of Need application to the consent agenda. The consent agenda and other routine items were approved unanimously.

• Added HCA CEO engagement resolution to New Business agenda (unanimous)
• Added AdventHealth CON support letter to consent agenda (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda and agenda amendments (unanimous)
• Approved April 21, 2026 combined meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved March 2026 tax collection report (unanimous)
• Approved resolution for pyrotechnic experts for firework displays (unanimous)
• Approved FY2026 external audit contract (unanimous)
• Approved construction contracts for parking lot improvements, 59 Woodfin exterior remediation, and Asheville High School culinary kitchen renovation (unanimous)

Board of Commissioners

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will review the agenda, receive a staff update that includes a three‑hour budget work session presented by John Hudson, and hold an open discussion with all members. No formal decisions are listed on the agenda.

• Budget Work Session (3 hours) – staff update presented by John Hudson

Board of Commissioners

This is a commissioner briefing with staff updates. Topics include a resolution on the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, an update on the America 250 NC Buncombe County Committee, a quarterly update on the Continuum of Care and Within Reach recommendations, a health insurance update, the 2025 strategic plan closeout, and a CDBG-DR update. No formal decisions are scheduled; the meeting is for discussion and information.

• Roadless Area Conservation Rule resolution discussion
• Health insurance update with USI and Shauna Shepherd (30 mins)
• CDBG-DR update (10 mins)
• 2025 Strategic Plan closeout (30 mins)
• CoC quarterly update and Within Reach recommendations (20 mins)